The Founder of Daisy Oak Foundation, Dr. Kiema Ogunlana has described as worrisome that only 471 women out of 4,881 candidates are contesting the Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives in the 2o27 general election
She was of the opinion that women are not underrepresented because they lack capacity; they are underrepresented because the political system continues to make room for too few of them.
TheHintsNews reports that the final list of all the candidates cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shown that women remain underrepresented among the candidates vying for various elective positions, constituting only 9.65 per cent.
Data from the final list of candidates recently published by the electoral body indicated that a total of 4,881 candidates were cleared for the three elections.
However, of this number, 471 are women, representing 9.65 per cent while 4,410 are men, representing 90.35 per cent.
A further breakdown of the list by category shows a huge gap in the National Assembly elections.
For instance, for the Presidential election, out of 18 candidates, two are women representing 11.11 per cent, whereas 16 are men representing 88.89 per cent.
The two female presidential candidates are: Okwori Fredrick of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Okereke Esther of the National Rescue Movement (NRM).
Similarly, for the Senatorial election, 1,303 candidates were cleared by INEC, out of which 123 are women representing 9.44 per cent, while 1,180 are men representing 90.56 per cent.
Also, for the House of Representatives, a total of 3,560 candidates were cleared by the commission, out of which 346 women consisting 9.72 per cent, whereas 3,214 are men constituting 90.28 per cent.
Reacting to the development, Ogunlana said the real barriers are the cost of politics, exclusion from party power structures, political violence, weak internal party democracy and limited access to campaign financing.
According to her, Until we confront those realities, representation will remain symbolic rather than meaningful.
She stressed that the 2027 candidates’ list should make every Nigerian pause.
Ogunlana stated: “Out of 4,881 candidates contesting the Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections, only 471 are women; less than one in every ten candidates.
“That is not just a statistic; it is a reflection of the political environment we have normalised for decades.
“Nigeria has no shortage of competent women. We see women leading businesses, driving humanitarian responses, shaping public policy, managing institutions and holding communities together.
“Yet, when it is time to occupy political spaces where decisions are made, they become the exception rather than the norm.”
Ogunlana pointed out that the conversation must move beyond telling women to “get involved in politics”, saying women are already involved.
She added: “The real barriers are the cost of politics, exclusion from party power structures, political violence, weak internal party democracy and limited access to campaign financing.
“Until we confront those realities, representation will remain symbolic rather than meaningful.
“This is not about asking for favours or lowering standards. It is about creating a level playing field where competence, ideas and leadership have a genuine opportunity to compete.
“A democracy is strongest when those making decisions reflect the diversity of the people they represent. Nigeria cannot continue to leave half of its talent on the sidelines and expect inclusive development.”
Ogunlana maintained that the 2027 elections should not only be a contest for power; they should be a wake-up call for political parties, institutions and everyone to rethink what inclusive leadership truly looks like.