…Advocates Special Seat Bill to Governments, Stakeholders
As political parties enter into primaries election season in Nigeria, the Osun State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called on political parties in the state to ensure greater inclusion of women in nominations for National Assembly, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This is as Osun NAWOJ aligned the primaries election with the push for the Special Seat Bill currently before the National Assembly.
The association also called on the state women politicians to participate in the process.
The call was made in a press release issued by the Osun NAWOJ Chairperson, Comrade Abisola Ariwodola and Secretary Oluwaranti Ojewumi, who stated that the association is observing the political sphere of the state and has noted that so far, the All Progressives Congress has concluded its primary elections in the state, producing only one female candidate among its flag bearers for federal legislative positions.
According to NAWOJ, stakeholders say the outcome reflects the persistent underrepresentation of women in elective politics despite years of advocacy for gender equity, positioning that political parties hold the key to correcting the imbalance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NAWOJ Chairperson, Ariwodola, stated that political parties have an immediate role to play in addressing Nigeria’s low representation of women in parliament, even before the bill becomes law.
“Political parties are the gatekeepers of candidacy. Voluntary affirmative action by parties in Osun will send a strong signal that the state is committed to inclusive democracy.
“Nigeria currently ranks among the lowest in Africa for women’s representation in parliament, with women occupying less than 5% of seats in the National Assembly. In Osun, previous election cycles have also seen a wide gender gap in candidates fielded for federal and state legislative positions.”
Osun NAWOJ Urge the political parties to adopt concrete measures, including reasonable pr waver of nomination fees for female aspirants, reserving a percentage of slots for women in primaries, providing campaign support, and ensuring women are included in party decision-making structures.
The association also urged party leaders to engage women’s groups during candidate selection processes and to publicly commit to gender-balanced tickets where feasible.
Speaking on the Special Seat Bill, which seeks to create additional legislative seats reserved for women at the federal and state levels, NAWOJ said the bill, which has gained renewed attention in 2026, is a structural response to Nigeria’s low ranking on women’s political participation in Africa.
“The Special Seat Bill is about correcting a structural imbalance. Parties in Osun can act now by ensuring women are not sidelined at the nomination stage, and with women making up a significant portion of Osun’s registered voters, their representation in the National Assembly and House of Representatives is critical for legislation and oversight that reflect the needs of families, youths, and marginalised communities.
“Even without the bill being passed yet, parties can demonstrate commitment by voluntarily increasing the number of women they field. Osun state cannot afford to be left behind in this national conversation because inclusion is not a favour; it is a democratic requirement.”
NAWOJ, as a women-led association, therefore use the medium to advocate to all political parties in Osun, including the Accord, ADC, APGA, NNPP, PDP, Labour Party, and others, to adopt internal quotas, waive nomination fees for women, and provide mentorship and campaign support to female aspirants.
We also want the political parties to integrate women into strategic decision-making positions within their campaigns and ensure manifesto commitments address issues affecting women, youths, and Persons with Disabilities.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, stakeholders said Osun’s political parties have an opportunity to set a benchmark for inclusion and strengthen public confidence in the democratic process.
“Spotlight is on how Osun’s political parties will respond to the clamour for inclusion as the state prepares for another round of state and federal elections – the statement added.
