A Labour Party candidate for the Owerri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives election, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, popularly known as Ada Owere, has renewed the call for greater representation of women in Nigeria’s political and governance structures.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu, in a campaign message advocating a 35 per cent affirmative representation for women, said the demand should not be viewed as a favour to women but as a commitment to achieving equity and inclusive governance.
She argued that with women constituting a significant proportion of the population, their participation in decision-making should reflect their numerical strength and contributions to society.
“35% is not a favour. It is a commitment to women’s representation,” Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu stated.
She further stressed that women’s participation in governance goes beyond occupying political positions, noting that their representation also translates to the inclusion of families, communities and broader social interests in policymaking.
“When women are represented, communities are represented,” she said, while insisting that women should no longer be treated as spectators in the political process.
According to her, women “belong at the table” where decisions affecting the people are made, adding that political inclusion must move beyond promises to concrete action.
The Labour Party candidate also questioned the continued disparity between the size of the female population and the level of women’s representation in elective and appointive positions.
“If women make up half the population, why should our voice be less than half?” she asked.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu said her advocacy for the 35 per cent affirmative action was aimed at moving the conversation on women’s political participation from rhetoric to implementation.
She described the initiative as a pathway towards greater equality, inclusion and representation, arguing that stronger participation of women would contribute to a stronger democracy and a stronger nation.
Under the banner, “Ada Owere: Taking women’s representation from promise to action,” the campaign message presents the proposed affirmative action as part of her broader agenda for inclusive political representation.
The renewed call comes amid longstanding concerns over the limited presence of women in Nigeria’s political institutions, with advocates arguing that stronger representation is essential to ensuring that governance reflects the diversity of the Nigerian population.
