Kwara women lament political representation gap, seek greater inclusion

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

Women groups in Kwara State on Tuesday lamented the low level of women’s political representation, noting that only 15 women, representing 4.2 per cent of the 356 members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, are currently serving in the chamber.

Speaking at a mobilisation programme organised by the SYD Kwara South Unique Women Grassroots Mobilisation in Idofian, Ifelodun Local Government Area, the coordinator of the group, Ganiyat Sanni, said the figure represented a small share of the national decision-making space.

The programme, organised in support of the APC governorship candidate, Salihu Yakubu Danladi, was themed, “The Importance of Women in Politics,” with Sanni urging women to see themselves not merely as election supporters but as strategic partners in political organisation and governance.

Sanni, who is also the vice chairman of Isin Local Government Area, called for a change in the mindset of women, urging them to focus not only on what politics could offer them but also on how they could contribute to improving their communities and society.

She said political participation should be about service, responsibility and effective representation, while encouraging women to promote civic engagement, teach younger women about democracy and good governance, develop leadership skills and create platforms for their voices to be heard.

Meanwhile, the APC state Chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, dismissed petitions by opposition parties to the Independent National Electoral Commission alleging that the party had commenced its 2027 campaign, saying the activities were only thank-you visits to stakeholders.

Also speaking, the APC House of Representatives candidate for Oke-Ero/Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun Federal Constituency, Florence Oyeyemi, expressed confidence that Danladi would build on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s efforts to provide women with opportunities to participate in politics and decision-making.

Oyeyemi, who said she became the state’s first female commissioner for finance because of the governor’s support for women’s political participation, urged women across the state’s 193 wards to mobilise support for APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.