By Queen Kunde
The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has raised concerns over the low representation of women among candidates for the 2027 National Assembly elections, calling for more inclusive politics and issue-based campaigns.
The President of NILOWV, Hon. Irene Awunah Ikyegh, made the call in a statement to mark the 2026 International Day of Democracy, saying democracy must provide meaningful opportunities for all citizens to participate in governance.
According to the organisation, 4,408 candidates are contesting Senate and House of Representatives seats, comprising 3,965 men and only 443 women. Women therefore account for about 10 per cent of the candidates.
Ikyegh said the figures showed that while women participate actively as voters, mobilisers and campaigners, their numbers drop sharply when political parties select candidates and distribute elective positions.
She said barriers including the cost of nomination forms, limited access to party structures, political intimidation, discrimination, sexual harassment and online abuse continue to discourage many women from seeking office.
NILOWV, which said it has advocated for women’s political participation for 30 years, commended the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for fielding 11 female Senate candidates and 42 female House of Representatives candidates, describing it as comparatively stronger representation.
The group, however, urged all political parties to reform their nomination processes, reduce financial barriers and provide women with fair opportunities to contest and lead.
It also called for an end to gender-based attacks during campaigns, urging candidates and political actors to focus on manifestos, records, policies and solutions to the country’s problems rather than candidates’ marital status, appearance or private lives.
Ikyegh said the 2027 campaigns should address issues affecting Nigerians, including education, healthcare, food prices, jobs, security, electricity, roads, justice, opportunities for young people and protection against gender-based violence.
On women’s representation in the National Assembly, NILOWV renewed its call for the passage of the Special Seats Bill for Women, citing current parliamentary figures showing women occupy about 4.2 per cent of seats in the House of Representatives and 3.7 per cent in the Senate.
The organisation urged lawmakers to consider the bill when the National Assembly resumes, saying increased representation would strengthen inclusive governance and create greater opportunities for women and girls in political leadership.
NILOWV also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve communication with citizens and civil society organisations on voter registration, election technology, logistics, accessibility, results management and security, while ensuring persons with disabilities are fully included in the electoral process.
The organisation called on the media to focus political reporting on candidates’ policies and records rather than their personal lives, while urging young Nigerians to study manifestos, question candidates and verify information before sharing it.
Ikyegh also encouraged Nigerian women to continue participating in politics despite existing barriers, and called on persons with disabilities to be fully included in political and electoral processes.
She urged Nigerians not to lose faith in democracy but to demand greater accountability and inclusion, stressing that democracy ultimately belongs to citizens.
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