Politics

25 Female Governorship Candidates Unveil Agenda For 2023 Poll

Published

3 years ago

December 19, 2022

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, about 25 female governorship candidates contesting on the platform of various political parties in the states, on Monday, unveiled their agenda for the poll.

They spoke at a media engagement organised by Women Radio 91.7FM in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was supported by the UN Women and Canadian government.

The governorship candidate of Action People’s Party (APP) in Delta, Annabel Cosmos, said since the inception of democracy in 1999, the men had not done enough to give the state a facelift, hence, the need for women to take up the challenge.

“They say what a man can do, a woman can do it better.

“Women should not be left at the kitchen. The kitchen is not our place; we can govern a state if given the opportunity.to serve,” she said.

She said if elected the governor, she would look into the educational, agricultural and health sectors, among others, with a view to transforming them.

Madam Roseline Chenge, the governorship candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Benue, said if elected the governor, her plan was to industrialise the state and tackle the insecurity problem besetting it

“If you are familiar with Benue State, Benue needs industrialisation with local governments in focus.

“Benue needs security and as a mother, I have come out so that as an engineer, I can engage the most modern and sophisticated technology to provide security because my people are dying,” she said.

Chenge said she was ready to also ensure food security for the state by engaging in the modern system of agriculture.

She promised to manage the state’s account in a way that would give dividends of democracy to the people.

“The men have done well but women can do a better job,” she said.

Hajia Binta Umar, the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in Jigawa, said she was vying for the position to enable her to tackle the problems facing the women and youth in the state.

“The women are always at the receiving end anytime there is one challenge or the other, likewise our young people,” she said.

She said her government would ensure that the women and youth are empowered in the state.

“We have a lot of resources and we are farmers too.

“We want to use all these resources to make life better than what it is now,” she said.

Dr Ngozika Johnson-Ogbuneke, Social Democratic Party (SDP)’s governorship candidate for Abia, said though the state is 31 years old, there had been little or nothing to show for it

“There are no infrastructure in Abia, nothing to give the people good life and when the youth of Nigeria protested back then in 2020, my heart was broken.

“When you look at what they said about the EndSARS, it applies to Abia State too.

“I felt it is time to make a difference in my fatherland,” she said.

According to her, I urge the people of the state to vote for me.

“Don’t vote for me because I am a woman, vote for me because I am a capable woman.

“I am an orthopaedic surgeon and also a human rights lawyer.

“I am coming to defend the rights of Abia people for quality education, good road; for the children to be well trained, for school teachers to have their salaries paid; pensioners have their gratuities and grants given to them and for Abia State to have an airport,” she said.

Johnson-Ogbuneke, who said he would make Abia to be an enviable state, said her plan was also to revamp the agriculture and give a better healthcare system.

The Executive Director, Women Radio, Mrs Toun Sonaiya, said if 25 women can govern 25 states in the country, “peace will come back to Nigeria.”

According to her, if not for this programme, many do not know that we have about 25 candidates contesting for governorship elections.

She urged the media to always report the female candidates positively and give them more visibility.

“Please continue to report then until something happens.

“Our women are ready and we should give them the support and encouragement,” Sonaiya urged

NAN reports that governorship candidates for the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in Kwara, Doborah Jaiyeola; APM candidate for Lagos State, Funmilayo Kupoluyi, were among others at the event.

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.