Women Groups Demand Gender-Inclusive Primaries for 2027

On May 15, 2026, a coalition of women-led organizations in Nigeria called on political parties to take immediate steps to ensure meaningful inclusion of women in the candidate selection process for the 2027 general elections. The appeal was made in an open letter addressed to the leadership of major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), People's Democratic Party (PDP), and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The coalition, which includes groups such as Womanifesto, Nigeria League of Women Voters, and Women Political Forum, expressed concern over the growing exclusion of women from internal party processes. They cited high financial barriers and structural disadvantages as significant obstacles for qualified women interested in contesting.

The coalition warned that current practices threaten the modest gains made in women's political representation in Nigeria, noting that women constitute a significant portion of the electorate yet remain largely absent from leadership positions. They urged political parties to ensure transparent, violence-free primaries and to create pathways to increase women's representation, including the introduction of gender quotas and reduced nomination fees.