Politics
Gender-inclusive politics key to strengthening democracy – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that gender-inclusive politics, which ensures the equitable representation of women in the nation’s political system is crucial to the strengthening of democracy.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at a conference for women political leaders, with the theme: “Breaking Barriers and Shaping Positive Attitudes for Inclusive Politics in Nigeria.”
The two-day conference was organised by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in collaboration with the IPAC Directorate of Women Affairs.
Yakubu, represented by INEC’s Director of Gender and Inclusivity Department, stressed the need for behavior-changes and concerted efforts toward addressing factors limiting women participation in politics.
“The strength of any democracy lies not only in the conduct of periodic elections but also in the inclusivity of its processes and the equitable representation of its people, particularly women, who constitute nearly half of the Nigerian population.
“The focus on women political leaders and the need to institutionalise behavior-change approaches highlights a critical pathway to addressing systemic challenges, such as discrimination, political violence, and underrepresentation that continue to hinder women’s full participation in our political space.
“As the electoral umpire, INEC is committed to promoting gender-inclusive policies and ensuring a level playing field for all political actors, regardless of our gender policy,” he said.
Yakubu said that the commission’s continuous engagement with stakeholders, aimed to dismantle structural barriers and create opportunities for women to thrive in political leadership and governance.
He commended the efforts of Nigerian women who had demonstrated resilience, courage, and excellence in leadership over the years, even in the face of significant challenges.
The INEC boss urged women to keep pushing boundaries, mentoring others, and take their rightful places in the political arena.
Sen. Ireti Kinjibe, (-PDP, FCT), urged all women to go back to their respective wards and polling units to prevail on their representatives to advocate for the passage of the bill seeking special seats for women.
Ireti said that women had to be a strong lobby group, saying they could not just be talking about women inclusivity without working for it.
She called on IPAC to encourage women to be included in party leadership positions and elective positions.
Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, described the conference as a reminder that the push for inclusive politics transcended party lines.
She said it was a national imperative that demanded collective commitment.
According to her, the theme of the conference offered a timely platform for reflection, collaboration, and decisive action across the political landscape.
The deputy governor added that it would help to confront structural and attitudinal barriers limiting women’s inclusivity in Nigeria politics.
“Our roles must not be symbolic, they must be strategic, and they must deliver results.
“Let us all, men and women, move beyond rhetorics and drive the structural changes needed to make inclusive leadership our new reality,” Salako said.
By David Owei, Bayelsa
Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.
Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.
The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.
“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.
“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.
“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.
The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.
The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.
Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.
He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.
He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.
“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”
“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”
Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”
He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.
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