Political stakeholders across Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states have called for increased representation of women in leadership and political roles to enable them contribute more effectively to the country’s growth and development.
They stressed the need to remove gender bias, segregation and political imbalances that prevent women from occupying key decision-making positions, urging that more legislative seats be reserved for them both at the state and national levels.
The stakeholders noted that women’s participation in politics is not only a matter of equality but also a prerequisite for genuine democracy, as it ensures women’s direct involvement in public decision-making and accountability to female citizens.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osun, Mrs Ada Uchegwu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said African women were among the most capable leaders globally, but that structural bias in the political system continued to hold them back.
Uchegwu argued that female politicians needed vibrant and supportive political party platforms to advance their aspirations, rather than being used symbolically.
According to her, Nigeria needsed fresh ideas, especially from women, who should be given more opportunities to serve in strategic positions.
Mr Wale Oladapo, the convener of Concern Nigerians for National Development, said the country’s current political structure required a complete overhaul to allow women greater participation.
He called on civil society and non-governmental organisations to intensify advocacy for female candidacy.
Also, Prof. Olugbemiga Afolabi, Head of the Department of Political Science at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said women should participate actively in politics as they constitute a larger segment of the population and have contributed immensely to national development.
According to him, “Women’s participation in politics will guarantee credible elections, foster social progress by promoting education, agriculture, social amenities, and enhance the well-being of voters.”
In Ondo State, Mrs Kemisola Adesanya, the state Women Leader of the PDP, lamented that women interested in politics and nation-building were often threatened by men, hence the need for special constitutional provisions to protect them.
“Men always come between women and even hinder them from supporting fellow women in politics,” Adesanya said.
Similarly, Mrs Temilola Odetola, Ondo State Coordinator of the Civil Society Organisations Strategy Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urged policymakers to reserve more legislative seats for women.
She described women as good resource managers whose inclusion in leadership would drive the nation’s positive transformation.
A former Special Adviser on Gender to the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Olamide Falana, warned that women’s inclusion in politics should not be left to the discretion of individual leaders such as governors.
She said women should emerge through active participation in their political parties to prevent positions being allocated to cronies.
Mrs Funke Kumuyi, Chairman of Ikale West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, observed that women formed the largest voting bloc during elections but were underrepresented in political offices.
She said the low percentage of women in leadership had dampened their morale to participate.
Similarly, Mrs Roseline Akinnagbe, APC Ward Women Leader in Okitipupa, said women often sacrificed their domestic responsibilities to campaign, yet after elections, “men always get the top offices while women get political crumbs as their rewards.”
Chief Christiana Ebisemiju, PDP Women Leader in Okitipupa Local Government Area, said the dominance of men in politics had discouraged women from participating, adding that despite women’s efforts during campaigns, “men always end up as the biggest beneficiaries.”
In Ekiti State, community leader and women mobiliser, Mrs Olufunke Ajayi, lamented that women continued to suffer low representation in legislative houses, noting that the highest office ever attained by a woman in the state was deputy governor.
She added that while few women were appointed to political positions in most states, Ekiti remained an exception, with a fair number of women in key roles.
Chief Victoria Ogunrinde, another community leader, acknowledged that Nigerian women had made significant contributions to the nation’s development but were still hindered by male dominance and social stereotypes that confined them to domestic roles.
Similarly, retired school teacher, Mrs Morenikeji Aina, described women as a formidable productive force essential to national growth.
She urged the government at all levels to promote the formation of more women-focused cooperatives in agriculture and business to strengthen social and economic networks among women.
Dr Olusola Osetoba, Technical Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Sports Development, called on governments across Nigeria to emulate Ekiti’s example by prioritising women’s inclusion in political appointments.
According to her, “Women in appointive and elective offices always give their best to ensure the objectives of their positions are achieved.”
(NAN)