Gender Disparity in 2027 National Assembly Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates for the 2027 National Assembly elections, revealing that only 443 women are among the 4,408 candidates cleared to contest. This figure accounts for just over 10% of the total candidates, highlighting a significant gender disparity in the race for Nigeria's federal legislature.

Specifically, of the 1,195 candidates vying for the 109 Senate seats, 1,080 are male and 115 are female. In the House of Representatives, 2,885 of the 3,213 candidates are male, while 328 are female.

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has fielded the highest number of female candidates, with 11 women contesting Senate seats and 42 seeking election to the House. The elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, with governorship and State House of Assembly elections following on February 6, 2027.

The final list also includes presidential candidates from various political parties, including incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress.