Womanifesto, a coalition of over 250 organisations across Nigeria, has condemned the growing wave of violence, intimidation, harassment and attacks against women participating in political processes across the country.
The group described the violent assault involving Senator Ireti Kingibe who is representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate and officials of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja, noting that the incident is not isolated.
According to the group, disturbing reports have continued to emerge from different parts of the country over the past week, showing women being attacked, threatened, brutalised and forcefully prevented from participating in party primary elections.
In Borno State, videos and reports from the APC primaries in the Bama/Ngala/Kala Balge Federal Constituency allegedly showed women being kicked, assaulted and violently driven out of polling stations. The group also said it received reports that Hon. Dr Zainab Gimba was allegedly attacked by thugs during the primaries.
Womanifesto further expressed concern over allegations that security agencies present during some of the incidents failed to intervene or protect the women under attack.
“Reports suggesting compromise or complicity by security personnel raise serious questions about the safety of women in Nigeria’s political environment and the willingness of institutions to uphold justice and democratic participation,” the statement said.
The organisation noted that the incidents reflect the harsh realities many Nigerian women face for daring to participate in leadership, governance and public service.
“Across political parties and regions, women continue to face threats, intimidation, physical violence, humiliation and systemic exclusion in spaces where they should be protected and respected,” the group stated.
It added that women in politics should not have to risk their safety, dignity or lives to serve their communities and country.
“Violence against women in politics is violence against democracy itself,” the statement added.
Womanifesto warned against what it described as the dangerous normalisation of political thuggery and gender-based violence within Nigeria’s electoral and party systems.
“A democratic process cannot be credible when women are beaten, silenced or driven away through fear and violence,” the group said.
The coalition called for immediate, transparent and independent investigations into all reported cases of violence against women during the ongoing party primaries.
It also demanded the swift arrest and prosecution of individuals responsible for sponsoring or carrying out the attacks, accountability for any security personnel found negligent in their duties, stronger protection measures for women participating in political activities, and firm commitments by political parties to adopt zero tolerance for violence, intimidation and harassment against women.
The group stressed that Nigeria’s political space must not continue to operate like a battlefield where violence and impunity are used to silence women and exclude them from leadership.
Womanifesto reaffirmed its solidarity with women who have experienced violence, intimidation or discrimination in the political process, insisting that women have the constitutional right to participate in politics freely, safely and without fear.
