The Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has issued a strong appeal to political parties, urging them to actively increase female representation in upcoming elections. The call comes as parties prepare for primaries ahead of the 2027 general polls.
In a statement released on Saturday, NAWOJ Chairperson Abisola Ariwodola and Secretary Oluwaranti Ojewumi highlighted the persistent underrepresentation of women in elective positions. They pointed out that recent primary results in Osun State have shown minimal female participation, with only one woman emerging as a candidate for federal legislative seats from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The association emphasized that political parties serve as gatekeepers to candidacy and thus hold the key to addressing gender imbalance. They urged parties to take voluntary affirmative action, including reducing nomination fees for women, reserving specific slots for female aspirants, and providing campaign resources to level the playing field.
NAWOJ also called for the inclusion of women’s groups in candidate selection processes and for women to be integrated into party decision-making structures. The statement noted that even before the proposed Special Seat Bill is passed, parties can demonstrate commitment by fielding more women voluntarily.
Highlighting the broader context, NAWOJ stated that women currently hold less than five percent of National Assembly seats, placing Nigeria among African nations with the lowest female parliamentary representation. The association described the Special Seat Bill as a necessary structural solution, but stressed that immediate action is needed from political leaders.
“Inclusion is not a favour; it is a democratic requirement,” the statement added, calling on all stakeholders to work toward a more equitable political landscape.