Politics

2023: Militarisation, Monetization Identified As Threat To Women Participation

Published

4 years ago

November 17, 2021

As the 2023 general election draws closer, monetization and militarization of politics including ignorance have been identified as factors militating against women getting into political offices despite their numerical strength in voting.

The 1st Vice President, League of Women Voters in Nigeria (NILOWV) , Iyom Josephine Anenih, stated this in Benin City, the Edo State capital on Wednesday while addressing journalists on activities to mark the group’s 25th anniversary.

Flanked by former Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. (Mrs) Elizabeth Ativie, State Chairperson, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and other state and local leaders of the group, Anenih said there was need to change these narratives ahead of the 2023 elections.

She disclosed that NILOWV had been networking with bodies that share similar ideas across the country to spring a surprise.

She further disclosed that the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen, is expected as the keynote Speaker in its annual conference that would culminate in the election of new officers for the association.

She said: “We need to change the mindset of our people and it is only through education that this can be done and you know that the press is to mould minds; to mould opinions and to change mindsets.

“So, we are appealing to you to put in more efforts because what is happening is just ignorance and patriarchy that is being fuelled and sustained by ignorance.

“That women hate themselves is a tool created by men for women to be used against women to divide us and disorganise us, and you know that everything happens from the mind.

“The men have made politics look as if it is just a man’s stuff so when they see a woman coming, it is the man that will say all sorts of things against the woman that is coming out.

“In elections, how many females do you have as candidates and how many women have the financial muscle? You know that politics has been so monetized and militarized in this country so, how many women have the strength and the army of boys to stand against the violence they perpetuate during elections? How many women have the deep pocket to match them but we have examples of women who have proven their mettle and they have jumped past the hurdles men put before them.”

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.