THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has produced only three female senatorial candidates in the primaries conducted so far ahead of the 2027 general election, despite growing calls for stronger implementation of the 35 percent affirmative action policy for women in politics.
News Point Nigeria reports that out of the 109 senatorial districts across the country, the ruling party has so far concluded and announced candidates for 99 districts, while 10 senatorial primaries remain pending, inconclusive, or yet to be officially released.
The three women who secured APC senatorial tickets are Senator Idiat Adebule for Lagos West, Ngozi Kene-Chiedu for Anambra Central, and Muheebah Dankaka for Kwara South.
The outcome has again drawn attention to the low level of women’s participation in elective politics, even as advocates continue to demand increased representation for women in governance and political leadership.
In Lagos West, Adebule, who currently represents the district in the Senate and previously served as Deputy Governor of Lagos State, emerged as the APC consensus candidate.
Her candidacy had earlier been endorsed by key APC leaders in Lagos West, including members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), ahead of the primary election.
Adebule remains one of the few women currently serving in the National Assembly.
In Kwara South, former Chairperson of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Muheebah Dankaka, recorded one of the biggest upsets of the APC senatorial primaries after defeating Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Lola Ashiru, to clinch the party’s ticket.
Meanwhile, Ngozi Kene-Chiedu secured the APC senatorial ticket in Anambra Central to emerge as the party’s female flagbearer for the district.
Several other prominent female politicians, however, failed to secure tickets or were disqualified during the primaries.
In Rivers State, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, who represents Rivers West and currently chairs the Senate Committee on Health, was disqualified from the APC senatorial primary.
Banigo, a former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, has vowed to challenge her disqualification after the party cleared Felix Obuah as its candidate for the district.
Similarly, Amina Ibrahim, a former APC National Women Leader aspirant, lost the senatorial primary in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Former Senator representing Adamawa South, Folashade Grace Bent, also failed to secure the APC ticket in her district.
In Abia Central, former Senator Nkechi Nwogu lost her senatorial bid, while the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, was disqualified from the APC primary in Ogun West.
Also unsuccessful were Halima Zakari in Jigawa South-West and Jumoke Akindele, former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, who contested the APC senatorial primary in Ondo South.
Nigeria adopted the 35 percent affirmative action principle through the National Gender Policy introduced in 2006 to encourage greater participation of women in governance and political leadership.
However, implementation of the policy has remained weak over the years, with women continuing to record low representation in elective positions across the country.
Advocates for women’s inclusion have repeatedly urged political parties to reserve more elective positions for women ahead of the 2027 general election.
In March, female deputy governors across the country appealed to the APC leadership to reserve 35 percent of elective positions for women.
“Overall, women’s representation in elective office remains at about four to five percent, placing Nigeria among the lowest globally,” they said in a letter addressed to APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda.
“Nigeria is blessed with competent, experienced, and capable women who have demonstrated leadership across various sectors.
“Expanding women’s participation strengthens our voter base, enriches governance and positions our party as forward-looking.”
Earlier in March, Yilwatda had assured that gender inclusion would form a key part of the APC’s preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The APC chairman made the remarks in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Forum of 2027 APC Female Aspirants’ Network (FAFAN) at the party’s national secretariat.
While acknowledging that women account for nearly half of Nigeria’s population, Yilwatda noted that their continued under-representation in governance weakens democratic principles.