6 Nigerian Female Politicians to Look Out For in 2023 Polls
- The national average of women's political participation in Nigeria has remained very low
- Already, conversations on how to expand the political participation of women in Nigeria are ongoing
- There are, however, some women bracing the odds and making a name for themselves in the male-dominated field of politics
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The Nigerian political environment is not friendly to female politicians as patriarchy reigns supreme in the polity.
This has affected the number of women folk in active politics in the country, but some are bracing the odds and proving that they are capable of even surpassing the unsatisfactory performances recorded by their male counterparts.
Legit.ng has compiled the names of 6 female politicians distinguishing themselves in politics and paving the way for greater responsibilities as the 2023 general elections draw near.
Source: UGC
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1. Senator Abidoun Olujimi
The 62-years old former deputy governor of Ekiti is an example of an irrepressible politician who has seen it all and continues to break new grounds in her distinguished political career. Olujimi had made a name for herself as a broadcaster and journalist before venturing into the murky waters of politics. Currently representing Ekiti South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, she is expected to contest for the governorship election of the state in 2022.
2. Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed
Popularly called Binani, the senator representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly came into the national political scene in 2015 and she is already a force to reckon with. Even before her foray into politics, Binani had made a name for herself in the highly competitive Nigerian business environment.
3. Natasha Akpoti
41-years old Akpoti ran for the post of Kogi Central Senatorial District seat under the Social Democratic Party and contested in the Kogi state governorship election under the same party all in 2019. She lost both contests in controversial circumstances, but more importantly, cemented her place in Nigeria's politics as a fearless and solid politician with an unrivalled ability to mobilise people from the grassroots.
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4. Gbemi Saraki
At 55, Saraki is following the footsteps of her father Olusola and brother, Bukola who are both widely-respected political juggernauts in Nigeria. She is currently the minister of state for transportation and former senator who was elected to represent the Kwara Central Senatorial District in the year 2003. She is expected to flex her political muscles in 2023.
5. Senator Uche Ekwunife
At just 50-years old, Senator Ekwunife has come of age in politics and keeps breaking new grounds in what has been a distinguished political career so far from the House of Representatives to the Nigerian Senate. Ekwunife will have the chance to prove her doubters wrong long before 2023 as she seeks the PDP ticket in the 2021 Anambra governorship poll.
6. Hadiza Bala Usman
45-years old Hadiza is a Nigerian politician currently serving as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority. She was previously the chief of staff to the governor of Kaduna state from 2015 to 2016. Despite the current position, her constant foray into politics is well-documented as she continues to serve in several committees within the ruling All Progressives Congress. Her thriving political career is expecting to take shape in 2023.
Meanwhile, a lot of stakeholders in Nigeria are becoming increasingly sceptical about the possibility of achieving a free, fair, and credible election in 2023 amidst the worsening security situation in the country.
With the current trend of insecurity in the different geo-political zones of the country, there is a general apprehension that things could get worse before the next election.
Some prominent leaders of thought have also expressed fear that the people’s desire for a smooth change of leadership in the 2023 general elections could be marred by violence and other forms of criminalities if left unattended to by the Buhari administration.
Legit.ng had previously reported that Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue said the much-talked-about 2023 general elections may never happen.
Ortom said the election not holding would become the reality in 2023 if nothing is done by the federal government about the menace of insecurity.
Source: Legit.ng
