By: Queen Kunde
…As Kafilat Ogbara demands political negotiations ahead of 2027; Speaker’s wife backs Special Seats Bill, NUJ President seeks urgent action
The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has called on Nigerian women to demand greater political representation and negotiate their way into leadership positions ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that the era of mobilising votes for political parties without corresponding representation must end.
The call was made at the grand finale of activities marking NILOWV’s 30th anniversary, held at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel on Friday, October 30, 2026, during its 30 Legacy Awards Night and Dinner.
The event honoured distinguished individuals, corporate organisations and institutions recognised for their contributions to the promotion of women’s participation and inclusion in governance in Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the award recipients, Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, challenged women to change their political approach, support one another and begin demanding concrete commitments from politicians as the 2027 elections approach.
She maintained that women who have consistently helped political parties secure electoral victories should also have the opportunity to occupy elective positions.
According to her, women must stop waiting until after elections to negotiate for political relevance, insisting that their votes should translate into political power and meaningful representation.
“Our votes are not gifts to political parties; we are political capitals that must command respect and good representation. The political party that wants the votes of women must be prepared to give women a fair opportunity to be candidates,” she said.
Ogbara stressed that women must make their votes conditional on political inclusion, noting that they are not just voters but stakeholders, power brokers and legitimate contenders for leadership.
She also urged women to hold political leaders accountable for their promises, particularly the commitment made by President Bola Tinubu at an APC rally to promote women’s inclusion in governance.
She called on women to unite behind a common demand, declaring: “No more mobilisation without representation, no more voting without negotiations, no more democracy without women’s inclusion.”
The lawmaker thanked NILOWV for the recognition and pledged to continue supporting the struggle for greater opportunities for women in governance.
Also speaking, the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hajia Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, reaffirmed her commitment to gender inclusion, disclosing that the current administration had taken the Special Seats Bill forward by making it an Executive Bill.
She expressed optimism that the bill would soon be passed, giving more women the opportunity to participate in elective leadership.
While appreciating NILOWV for the honour, she said the recognition was a reminder that more work needed to be done to address the underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political space.
In his remarks, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya, who was honoured for his support for women’s political inclusion, described the advocacy as timely, especially with the 2027 general elections approaching.
He commended NILOWV for sustaining its campaign for the passage of the Special Seats Bill, urging the Federal Government to ensure its speedy passage into law as a demonstration of its commitment to women’s political participation.
Yahya noted that women play critical roles in Nigeria’s electoral process and deserved more opportunities to occupy elective positions.
He also raised concerns over the high rate of maternal mortality in the country, calling on the government to take urgent measures to address the situation.
“No woman should die while bringing life into this world,” he declared.
Earlier, NILOWV Founder, Rt. Hon. Dame Esther Uduehi, described the awards night as a modest way of appreciating individuals and institutions that had supported the organisation throughout its 30-year journey.
While acknowledging the challenges encountered over the years, she appealed to governments at all levels, corporate organisations and private sector players to provide more support for the organisation’s activities.
She said sustained support for NILOWV’s campaign for gender justice and women’s inclusion in governance would contribute to national development and prosperity.
In her welcome address, the National President of NILOWV, Hon. Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, described the occasion as a night of recognition for individuals and organisations whose contributions had helped build the organisation over the past three decades.
She expressed appreciation to the award recipients and supporters, while appealing for continued partnership to enable NILOWV sustain its advocacy and achieve greater results in the years ahead.
The colourful event featured the presentation of awards to deserving individuals and organisations from different sectors, with the cutting of the 30th anniversary cake marking one of the major highlights of the celebration.(Ziti Online)
