BY AHMED AKANBI
The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has told women to stop giving votes without demanding elective positions, insisting their support in 2027 must translate into real power.
The charge was made at the grand finale of the women stakeholders anniversary and 30th Legacy Awards in Abuja.
Speaking for award recipients, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara, said women must change tactics by supporting one another and demanding greater space in elective offices, adding that women who deliver victories for parties must also be allowed to contest and win political positions.
”Our votes are not gifts to political parties, we are political capitals that must command respect and good representation. Any party that wants women’s votes must give women fair opportunity to be candidates,” Ogbara said.
She urged women to negotiate with parties before elections, not beg for appointments after victories.
Women, she said, are not just voters but stakeholders and legitimate contenders for leadership.
She called on women to hold leaders accountable, particularly President Bola Tinubu’s promise on women’s participation in governance.
”There should be no more mobilisation without representation and no voting without negotiation,” she declared.
She thanked NILOWV for the honour and pledged continued support for women’s participation.
Also speaking, wife of Speaker of House of Representatives, Hajia Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, reaffirmed commitment to women’s inclusion, disclosing that the Special Seats Bill has been taken up by the current administration as an Executive Bill.
She expressed optimism the bill will soon be passed to create more opportunities for women in elective leadership.
Fatima Abbas said the recognition was a reminder that more work is needed to address low representation of women in politics.
In his remarks, President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya, described the campaign as timely ahead of 2027 elections.
He commended NILOWV for sustaining advocacy for the Special Seats Bill and urged Federal Government to ensure speedy passage.
Yahya said women play key roles in elections and deserve greater opportunities in elective positions.
In her welcome address, National President of NILOWV, Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, described the event as celebration of individuals and organisations who strengthened the League in 30 years.
She thanked recipients and supporters, calling for continued partnership to sustain advocacy and expand impact.