Nigeria

The UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) on Thursday in Abuja expressed commitment to promoting inclusive and peaceful elections in Nigeria in 2019.

The Country Representative of UN Women, Ms Comfort Lamptey, said this at a workshop organised by the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

Eunice Atuejide’s face dripped hot sweat as she gesticulated toward a group of other female politicians gathered before her. They stood still, their face muscles taut with determination, as they chanted in unison: “No women, no nation!” It was a call to arms for Nigeria’s female politicians gathered at the 2018 General Elections Aspirants Summit (GEAS) in Abuja in August, held to support them in the country’s national polls next year. And it’s a call that’s resonating like never before.

GENEVA (22 October 2018) – UN human rights experts* are urging Nigeria to take immediate steps to remedy deliberate attempts to exclude women candidates from recent party primary elections for seats in state and national legislatures.

The Executive Director of Hope for Family Development Initiative(HFDI), Mr Aremu Stephen has called for an end to violence against women in politics.

He said this in Osogbo, Osun State capital while addressing a press conference on behalf of the Stop Violence against Women in Politics (Stop-VAWIP) campaigners.

He said 60 cases of violence against women were reported during the September 22nd gubernatorial election in Osun State.

As the 2019 general elections draw near, those who want to wrest power from the governor of Jigawa State, Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, are busy strategising. To this end, their posters have virtually taken over major towns of the state.

For the meantime, however, most aspirants are from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Women politicians in Kogi State have revealed what they have been going through in the hands of men in the state.

The women alleged that they were being denied the opportunity to contest elective positions, and accused male politicians of “constantly seeking to dominate the political space”.

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on political parties to ensure conducive atmosphere for women aspirants in the forthcoming 2019 General Elections.

Buhari said this on Thursday while addressing Nigerian women at the Women Political Aspirants Advocacy Summit in Abuja.

He called for an enabling environment for free and fair playing grounds where women can contest elective positions and participate in political process.

The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Tuesday urged more women to show interest and participate in partisan politics.

She made the call while addressing newsmen ahead of the summit on female political aspirants scheduled for Thursday in Abuja.