Osun: Some political stakeholders in Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States have advocated for increased representation of women in leadership and political roles to enable them to contribute their quota to the development and growth of the country. They emphasized the need to eliminate gender bias, segregation, and political imbalances to allow women to occupy key political positions, advocating for more seats to be reserved for them at the state and national assemblies.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the stakeholders view women’s participation in politics as a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality and genuine democracy. It is seen as a means of facilitating women’s direct engagement in public decision-making and ensuring better accountability to women. Mrs. Ada Uchegwu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun, highlighted that African women are among the most capable leaders globally, but structural bias in the political system holds them back. She stressed that a female politician requires a vibrant political party’s platform to actively support her candidacy beyond being paraded for political reasons.
Mr. Wale Oladapo, the convener of Concern Nigerians for National Development, expressed that the current political structure in the country needs a complete overhaul to enable women to participate actively in politics. He urged civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations to intensify the call for female candidacy in politics.
Prof. Olugbemiga Afolabi, Head of the Political Science Department at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, emphasized that women should actively participate in politics as they constitute a larger segment of the population and have significantly impacted growth and development in every sector of the economy. Women’s participation in politics, he noted, would guarantee credible elections and foster social progress.
In Ondo, Mrs. Kemisola Adesanya, the state Women Leader of the PDP, pointed out that women interested in politics and nation-building face threats from men, necessitating special provisions in the constitutions of the country and political parties. Mrs. Temilola Odetola, the Ondo State Coordinator of the Civil Society Organisations Strategy Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), echoed the need for more political seats to be reserved for women, especially at the legislative levels.
Mrs. Olamide Falana, a former Special Adviser on Gender to the Ondo State Governor, advocated for a well-monitored process of women inclusion in politics to prevent political leaders from allocating slots to their cronies. Mrs. Funke Kumuyi, Chairman of Ikale West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), highlighted that women, despite making up the largest percentage during electioneering, benefit less from political offices, which demoralizes their participation in politics.
In Ekiti, community leader and women mobiliser Mrs. Olufunke Ajayi expressed concern over the low representation of women in state and national legislative houses, with the highest position attained being the deputy governor. Chief Victoria Ogunrinde, a community leader, emphasized that the domineering tendencies of men hinder Nigerian women’s contributions to national development.
Retired school teacher Mrs. Morenikeji Aina described women as a formidable productive force and a store of incredible human resources necessary for national development. She called for the government to encourage the formation of more women in agriculture and business cooperatives to enhance social network activities among women.
Dr. Olusola Osetoba, Technical Advisor to the Ekiti State Governor on Sports Development, urged governments at all levels to emulate Ekiti by prioritizing women’s inclusion in political offices and positions, noting that women in appointive and elective offices always strive to ensure the objectives of their positions are fulfilled.