Coalition Urges Political Parties to Enhance Women’s Representation in Ekiti State
The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) dedicated to Women’s Political Participation (WPP), along with various women-led organizations and advocates, has called on political parties in Ekiti State to take significant and concrete actions aimed at enhancing women’s representation in elections.
In a joint statement issued in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, the organizations emphasized the necessity of ensuring fair access and transparent rights for women as the state approaches the June 20, 2026 governorship election. They stressed the importance of creating genuine opportunities for women to contest and compete effectively within the political landscape of Ekiti State.
The statement elaborated that women should not only be considered for positions in state legislatures but must also be included in discussions related to political negotiations, consensus-building, and power-sharing. This call for inclusivity highlighted the urgent need for women to be actively engaged rather than marginalized.
The coalition pointed out that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees rights for all citizens. However, these rights must not remain theoretical; they must translate into actual practices. Women are not just voters; they are crucial stakeholders in national development, democratic governance, and sustainable progress.
They emphasized that the time has come for intentional action to move beyond symbolic gestures and tokenism in political participation. For the democratic process to be genuinely inclusive, political parties must foster an environment that not only supports but actively promotes women’s leadership and participation.
While acknowledging the progress made in Ekiti State, the coalition stressed that sustained improvement requires a robust political commitment from parties. Exclusion of women at the nomination stage undermines democracy before citizens even cast their votes. Changing the nomination process is essential for facilitating greater political engagement among women.
Political parties are pivotal gatekeepers in the democratic process. Their approach to inclusivity will shape whether the current representation of women in the 7th Ekiti State House of Assembly, which stands at 26 percent, can be improved in the upcoming assembly. Whether the aspirational 35 percent representation becomes a reality or remains mere rhetoric hinges on these critical steps.
The coalition called on political parties to establish clear, comprehensive guidelines for candidate selection, particularly regarding the adoption of consensus agreements. They urged parties to publicly commit to a 35 percent affirmative action goal for women’s representation across the Senate, House, and state legislative candidates. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of processes free from discrimination, intimidation, and exclusion. They further appealed to political activists, election officials, government institutions, and the public to hold political parties accountable to the tenets of inclusivity, fairness, and integrity.
The Coalition for Women’s Political Participation includes a diverse range of organizations such as New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD), Ekiti Women Arise (EWA), and Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI), among others. These entities share a common mission to advocate for the advancement of women in governance and decision-making roles.
