The National Chairmen
All Progressives Congress (APC),
People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC),
and Other Registered Political Parties in Nigeria.
Dear Sirs,
LETTER OF APPEAL FOR GENDER-INCLUSIVE PARTY PRIMARIES AND INCREASED SUPPORT FOR WOMEN’S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AHEAD OF THE 2027 GENERAL ELECTION
Women-led organisations and advocates including Womanifesto, the Nigeria League of Women Voters (NILOWV), Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), 100 Women Lobby Group, Women Collective Hub, and The Electoral Hub respectfully appeal to political parties across Nigeria to take urgent and deliberate steps toward ensuring the meaningful inclusion of women in the ongoing political parties candidates selection for the 2027 General Elections.
As party primaries continue across the country, it has become increasingly evident that many women are already being systematically shut out of the electoral process through zoning arrangements, consensus candidacy, financial barriers, and internal party structures that limit their ability to contest fairly and competitively.
Disturbingly, several qualified women who indicated interest in contesting elective positions have either been screened out, discouraged from purchasing nomination forms, or pressured to step down in favour of preferred male candidates before primaries are even concluded.
These developments threaten the modest gains Nigeria has recorded in women’s political representation and risk further reducing the already low number of women in elective offices, including at the National Assembly.
Nigeria cannot continue to sustain a democratic system where women constitute a significant voting population yet remain largely absent from leadership and decision-making spaces.
We are particularly concerned that despite sustained advocacy and mobilization efforts encouraging women to participate actively in politics, many female aspirants continue to face structural disadvantages within party structures and system.
The concentration of women aspirants within a single dominant political party, without corresponding guarantees of inclusion or equitable ticket allocation, has further heightened fears that many capable women may ultimately not make it onto the ballot.
Political parties remain the gatekeepers of Nigeria’s democracy. As such, the responsibility to ensure fairness, inclusion, and equitable opportunity begins with party leadership.
In light of this, we respectfully appeals to all political parties to urgently:
Ensure transparent, inclusive, and violence-free party primaries;
Create deliberate pathways for increased women’s representation on party ballots;
Introduce and implement gender quotas within party constitutions and leadership structures at ward, local government, state, and national levels;
Empower National Women Leaders within party structures with meaningful authority and participation in decision-making processes;
Reduce excessive nomination form fees and other financial barriers that disproportionately disadvantage women aspirants;
Publicly commit to affirmative measures that support women candidates ahead of the 2027 elections;
Prevent the use of consensus arrangements and zoning processes as tools for excluding women from contesting;
Promote equal treatment and fair opportunities for female aspirants during screenings, consultations, and delegate engagements.
We also urge party leaders to rise above narrow political interests and place national development at the center of their decisions. Increasing women’s participation in governance is not merely a gender issue; it is fundamental to strengthening democracy, improving representation, and advancing national progress.
At this critical moment, we further call for stronger collaboration between political parties, women’s rights movements, female politicians, civil society organisations, media institutions, and community stakeholders to improve voter education, visibility, mobilization, and support for women candidates who eventually emerge on the ballot.
Women candidates must not only emerge; they must also be seen, heard, supported, and given equitable opportunities to engage electorates, citizens, and communities.
As Nigeria prepares for another democratic transition, political parties have an opportunity to demonstrate genuine commitment to inclusive governance and democratic fairness. History will remember the choices made at this defining moment.
We therefore urge all political parties to act decisively and patriotically in ensuring that women are not excluded from the democratic process before the elections even begin.
Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.
Signed,
WOMANIFESTO, Nigeria League of Women Voters (NILOWV)
Women in Politics Forum
100 Women Lobby Group
The Electoral Hub
Women Collective Hub