Women leaders and advocacy groups across Nigeria have intensified calls for greater support for female candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They urged women to unite across political, ethnic and religious lines to boost female representation in elective offices.

The national president of the Women Wing of the Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria, Ramatu Tijjani, made this known in Kaduna.

Ms Tijjani congratulated women who emerged victorious in their respective party primaries and appealed to Nigerian women to support female candidates regardless of political affiliation.

She said increasing the number of women in elective positions was essential for strengthening democracy, promoting inclusive governance and accelerating national development.

According to her, many African countries and nations across the world have successfully elected women into top leadership positions, including the presidency, adding that Nigeria should not be left behind in advancing women’s political participation.

“Women constitute a significant percentage of the country’s population and voting strength. If women unite and support one another, more female candidates will emerge victorious and contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said.

Ms Tijjani urged women to turn out in large numbers during the 2027 elections and vote for competent female candidates.

She noted that women had consistently demonstrated commitment, dedication and integrity in leadership and public service.

She said that the foundation was preparing to launch a campaign tagged “Women for Women” to mobilise support, resources and advocacy for female candidates who secured party tickets for the forthcoming elections.

The women’s leader added that increased female participation in politics would help advance girl child education, reduce poverty and unemployment, and address other social challenges affecting women and vulnerable groups.

Also speaking, the chairperson of Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa, Rabi Saulawa, expressed concern over the relatively low number of women who secured victories in the recently concluded party primaries.

Ms Saulawa called on women across the country to support and encourage female candidates seeking elective offices, describing women’s solidarity as crucial to achieving meaningful political representation.

Similarly, a former women affairs commissioner in Kaduna State, Hafsat Baba, said plans were underway to organise capacity-building programmes for female candidates, particularly those contesting under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

She congratulated the successful female aspirants and assured them of continued support through training and mentorship programmes aimed at enhancing their communication, leadership and campaign management skills ahead of the elections.

The women leaders unanimously called for greater inclusion of women in Nigeria’s political process, stressing that empowering women politically remained critical to achieving sustainable development, social justice and national progress.

(NAN)