By Salmat Abdulwaheed
Women’s political participation remains a crucial measure of democratic inclusiveness and governance in Nigeria. Despite years of advocacy, policy commitments, and international obligations aimed at promoting gender equality, women continue to be underrepresented in political leadership. As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections, the outcomes of political party primaries offer an important lens for evaluating the position of women within the political system. The emerging patterns from these primaries suggest that although procedural reforms may be underway, substantive inclusion of women remains limited.
Political party primaries in Nigeria serve as the gateway to elective office, determining which candidates ultimately appear on the ballot in general elections. Across major political parties, primaries have been conducted at various levels, including presidential, gubernatorial, and legislative contests. While some parties have introduced mechanisms such as direct primaries and more open voting systems to improve transparency, these reforms have not significantly altered the gender imbalance in candidate selection. Instead, the process continues to be shaped by elite control, financial influence, and informal negotiations that often exclude women.
The participation of women in the 2027 primaries remains disproportionately low when compared to men. Although women are actively involved in grassroots political mobilization, campaigning, and party organization, their presence as candidates is minimal. At the highest level of political competition, only a small number of women have secured party tickets, reflecting a persistent gender gap. This trend is also evident in legislative and subnational elections, where women’s representation among candidates remains marginal. The disparity highlights a disconnect between women’s active engagement in politics and their access to decision-making positions.
Several structural and systemic barriers contribute to the continued marginalization of women in party primaries. One of the most significant challenges is the high cost of nomination forms and campaign financing, which places women at a disadvantage in a political environment heavily influenced by economic resources. The monetization of the delegate system further entrenches inequality, as delegates who determine outcomes in indirect primaries are often swayed by financial incentives. In addition, sociocultural norms and gender stereotypes discourage women from seeking political office, while those who do often face pressure to withdraw in favor of male candidates. Women are also frequently excluded from informal decision-making spaces within political parties, where key decisions about candidate emergence are made long before the official primaries.
Efforts to address these challenges have intensified in recent years. Electoral authorities and civil society organizations have called for reforms to increase women’s participation in politics. Proposals such as introducing gender quotas, reducing nomination fees for women, and enforcing internal party democracy have been widely discussed. Women’s groups and advocacy organizations have also launched initiatives to support female aspirants through training, mobilization, and public awareness campaigns. While these efforts are important, their impact remains limited without bigger structural changes within political parties and the broader political system.
The exclusion of women from party primaries has significant implications for democratic development in Nigeria. It undermines the principle of equal representation and limits the diversity of perspectives in governance. The underrepresentation of women can also affect policy outcomes, as issues that disproportionately affect women may not receive adequate attention in male-dominated political institutions. Furthermore, a political system perceived as exclusionary risks weakening public trust and legitimacy, thereby affecting the overall quality of democracy.
The 2027 election cycle might be worse for women, given the persistent challenges facing women in Nigeria’s political landscape. Although there have been a few improvements in the transparency of primary elections, these have not translated into meaningful gender inclusion. The low number of women emerging as candidates underscores the need for deliberate and sustained reforms. Women’s inclusion is not charity but a democratic imperative. Achieving equitable representation will require political parties, regulatory bodies, and civil society to work collaboratively to dismantle structural barriers and create a more inclusive political environment. Without such efforts, women’s participation in Nigeria’s political process will remain limited, and the broader goals of democratic consolidation and development will be difficult to achieve. Will the 2027 election be worse for women’s political inclusion?
Salmat Abdulwaheed wrote from Abuja, Nigeria