Survey challenges voter rejection narrative on women, youth, PWDs in politics

A new survey by Invictus Africa has challenged the long-held assumption that Nigerian voters are unwilling to elect women, youth, and persons with disabilities. The study suggests that limited opportunities for these groups to emerge as candidates and gain visibility may be a larger problem.

The nationally representative survey, which covered 11,196 eligible voters across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, found substantial numbers of voters are willing to support candidates from these underrepresented groups ahead of the 2027 General Elections. However, many voters reported they had never voted for such candidates because they were unaware they were on the ballot.

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We asked voters about their previous voting behaviour, their views of women, young people, and persons with disabilities as political candidates, and their intentions ahead of the 2027 General Elections. The findings challenge some long-held assumptions, but they also raise important questions.

Bukky Shonibare, Executive Director of Invictus Africa, stated that the findings necessitate shifting the national conversation. Instead of solely questioning why Nigerians do not vote for women, young people, and persons with disabilities, the focus should be on whether political parties are providing them with fair opportunities to contest elections.

The survey revealed that 69.1 percent of respondents had never voted for a woman, but 51.1 percent of those cited a lack of female candidates on the ballot as the reason. In contrast, 64.4 percent of respondents indicated they would vote for a woman in 2027, with 55.1 percent stating a woman's track record would be sufficient. Similar patterns emerged regarding youth candidates, with 79.9 percent of respondents who had never voted for a young person citing their absence from the ballot.

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The conversation must go beyond whether Nigerians are willing to vote for candidates from underrepresented groups. We must also ask whether these candidates are being given a fair opportunity to emerge.