Opinion
2023 Elections: What Hope For Women?
As the 2023 general election draws near and with all the political permutations in place, it is time to interrogate the position of Nigerian women as well as their hope in next year’s election.
The leadership of the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, has waived the payment for the nomination form for women vying for the office of the president and other elective offices on its platform. Instead of N100m paid by their male counterparts for presidency, they are to pay only 30 Million for the expression of interest form. Many other political parties have announced similar percentage cuts for youths and female aspirants on their platforms.
While that is appreciated, the question is, what other plans do these political parties have to ensure that more women occupy more political offices after the election in 2023? We saw in the past where women were asked to step down for the men, probably because they did not pay as high as the men. Will there be a repeat of that in 2023 elections?
The APC just concluded the election of their party leaders where consensus was the order of the day. How many women were considered in the consensus arrangement? The big one, the presidential primaries of the party has been slated for May 30 – 31. As a matter of fact, all the political parties in the country are expected to have conducted their primaries for president, governors, state and national assemblies by June 3. The parties’ flag bearers for the next elections should have emerged at that time. Speculations are rife that the same consensus method used in choosing the current leaders of the ruling party may be adopted by most parties, particularly the big two – APC and PDP. Are the women being factored into the whole equation or the party leaders think that the women are only suitable for the post of Women Leaders?
At this point in our national history where the country seems to have lost direction and hopelessness looms everywhere, women, known for their expertise in strategic planning, human and situation management, should be encouraged to come on board to rescue our sinking ship of a nation.
But another question is, how many women are ready to take part in the 2023 elections? How many women are willing and ready to jostle for leadership both in the state and federal government levels? With the disappointment and resentment expressed by many women after the rejection of the gender bills by the national assembly recently; considering the pains and agonies of many women who have borne the greater burden of the current misrule, insecurity and economic hardship in the country, one would have expected that a good number of women would have been vying for elective positions via various political platforms so as to contribute in making the country better.
Unfortunately, that is not the case. Only a few days to the conclusion of the primaries and just six female aspirants have joined the race to take over the mantle of leadership of the country from President Muhammadu Buhari, next year. Meanwhile, more and more men keep throwing in their caps in the ring every day. Madam Nonye Josephine Ezeanyaeche, a 102-year woman said to have joined the race due to absence of women in the context for presidency; Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi of the Social Democratic Party, SDP; Ibinabo Joy Dokubo, APC; Patience Key of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP; Olivia Diana Teriela, who is running on the platform of the PDP, (already screened); and Angela Johnson of the APGA are the female aspirants for the number one position so far.
Fortunately, quite a number of women have over the years broken these barriers and soared so high both in politics and other endeavours. Today, more women are educated and are venturing and dominating some fields hitherto regarded as belonging to the men. They have done so well as heads of schools, directors and chief executives of organisations, home makers, business women and others. The same thing can be done in politics. Politics is dirty we say, but how can it be made clean if the majority of the women keep aloof. Many do not have voters card talk more belonging to political parties. This nonchalant attitude towards politics must change if we must have a better Nigeria. The time has come for women to assert themselves in the main political arena beyond being comfortable as women leaders. If your job permits you to join political parties and seek elective positions, come out.
Meanwhile, the women may not be honest to themselves if they think that political power will be given to them just because they are of the female gender. No. They have to work for it. As the saying goes, power is taken, it is not given. So, it is not enough to go on the radio and announce that you are seeking the nomination of a political party to vie for a political post. Do you belong to a political party? Have you registered in your ward? Do you participate in grassroot politics and other activities of your party? What is your network like? Because every intending successful politician, male or female, needs to build a formidable political structure on which to sail to victory.
How are women groups mobilising women for next year’s election? Will they stay aside and watch the men take all the elective positions and they will be at their mercy to get bills that concern the women passed? Much as the cost of the party forms is over the roof, women can still come together, pull resources together and sponsor some candidates.
Women have the number; they have the support of their children and husband if they play their cards very well. The women sure need the support of the male folk to excel in politics so they should stop giving the impression that their reason for seeking political office is just to fight for women emancipation and all that. That attitude will continue to spoil the game for them and is dangerous for the peaceful, harmonious growth of the country.
It is also very important that only women who are efficient and have the capacity to lead should step forward. As earlier said, it will be wrong for an aspirant to think that just because she is a woman, everybody will file behind her. She must prove the stuff she is made of. Recently I listened to a female aspirant, vying for the office of the president on the radio. She could not even convince herself of her capability to occupy the seat, not to talk of convincing the listeners. These are not the kind of women we need. We want women who can compete favourably with other contestants and have all it takes to lead.
All over the world, there is an increasing number of women who are serving in elected and appointed political positions. Nigeria’s case should not be different. Rwanda always comes to mind when talking of where more female involvement in politics and leadership is paying off.
It is imperative that sincere measures be taken to enable women freely take part in elections.
More media coverage should also be given to the female aspirants at all levels as there has been the allegation of poor media attention on female political candidates in comparison with the male counterparts.
Most importantly, women should be ready to support and vote for their fellow women. There should not be a repeat of the Sarah Jibrin story in the forthcoming party primaries and the ultimate 2023 election.
Calista Ezeaku
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.