A prominent women's rights advocate and founder of TOS Foundation Africa, Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche, has accused political parties of structuring their primaries for the 2027 general elections in a manner that systematically excludes women from leadership positions.
Allegations of Systematic Exclusion
In a statement released on Wednesday, Ogwuche claimed that female aspirants seeking elective offices are increasingly being pressured to withdraw from races in favor of consensus candidates across major political parties. She noted that this trend is evident in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC), among others.
According to her, this development reinforces long-standing concerns that Nigeria's political system is biased against women even before elections commence. “As political parties across Nigeria announce their primary modes and self-regulation tactics ahead of the 2027 elections, a troubling pattern is emerging; one that confirms what women in politics have long known: the system is rigged before the whistle is even blown,” she stated.
Alarming Global Ranking
Ogwuche highlighted that Nigeria currently ranks 180th out of 185 countries in the Inter-Parliamentary Union's global ranking of women in parliament. Women occupy only four percent of seats in the National Assembly, compared to the global average of 26.9 percent. She contrasted this with countries like Rwanda, where women account for over 60 percent of parliamentary representation due to deliberate constitutional and policy measures.
Stalled Reserved Seats Bill
The activist also expressed concern over the stalled Reserved Seats for Women Bill, a constitutional amendment proposal seeking additional legislative seats exclusively for women at the national and state levels. She recalled that the bill, championed by TOS Foundation Africa in March 2025, received endorsements from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas. Despite these endorsements, the bill remains stalled in the National Assembly alongside several other constitutional amendment proposals.
Economic and Democratic Imperative
Ogwuche argued that increasing women's participation in governance is not only a democratic necessity but also an economic imperative. Citing global studies, she noted that countries with higher female political representation often have stronger institutions, lower corruption, and improved development outcomes. She also referenced data from the National Democratic Institute, indicating that female candidates in Nigeria face voter bias, party gatekeeping, financing challenges, and intimidation at higher levels than their male counterparts.
Call to Action for Female Aspirants
She urged female aspirants not to succumb to pressure to withdraw from political contests but instead to build alliances and continue advocating reforms within political parties and the wider electoral system. “To women with the appetite to lead: do not step down. Document everything. Build coalitions. Make noise. The system will not reform itself but it can be pressured,” she stated.
Ogwuche added that Nigeria can no longer afford the political and economic consequences of excluding women from governance ahead of the 2027 elections.
