Ekiti CSOs Demand Higher Female Representation in State, National Assemblies

A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Ekiti State, Nigeria, is making a strong push for greater female political participation, as reported by The Punch. Their call is directed at political parties, urging them to create an environment that offers women fair, transparent, and genuine opportunities to contest in the upcoming 2027 state and national assembly elections. This initiative highlights a persistent challenge in Nigerian politics: the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions, despite the nation's commitment to inclusive governance and the 35% Affirmative Action policy.

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We therefore call on all political parties in Ekiti State to institutionalize clear and inclusive guidelines for candidate selection, including where consensus arrangements are adopted, set, and publicly commit to the 35 per cent affirmative action targets for women’s representation across Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assembly candidacies.

The CSOs are not just making general appeals; they are demanding specific actions. They want political parties, particularly the ruling All Progressives Congress, to institutionalize clear and inclusive guidelines for candidate selection. This includes setting and publicly committing to the 35% affirmative action targets for women across various legislative positions. The emphasis is on ensuring that internal party processes are free from discrimination, intimidation, and exclusion, thereby making the path to candidacy more equitable.

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Achieving increased representation of women in the Ekiti State Assembly from the current 23 per cent to 35 per cent representation is not a symbolic aspiration; it is a democratic necessity.

From the perspective of these CSOs and women's advocates in Ekiti State, achieving higher female representation is framed as a "democratic necessity." They argue that a political system that systematically restricts women's access not only undermines gender equality but also the very legitimacy of governance. The message to women in Ekiti is one of empowerment: "Your leadership is essential to the future of our democracy. This is the time to step forward, organise, and contest." This grassroots call to action underscores the local urgency and the belief that credible elections must be inclusive from the outset, reflecting the diverse makeup of the electorate.

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Your leadership is essential to the future of our democracy. This is the time to step forward, organise, and contest.