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2027: Wife Of Former Borno Deputy Governor, Hansatu Zannah Makes Case For Increased Women Participation in Politics

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Wife of former deputy Governor of Borno State and advocate of gender politics and democratic governance, Hajia Hansatu Goldben Zannah, has disclosed that Nigeria’s democracy remains incomplete without fair representation of women in decision-making positions.

She made the assertion in a statement she made available to newsmen on Friday.

According to Hansatu, for Nigeria to take democratic development seriously, women’s political participation must not be viewed as an add-on, but as a foundational element of good governance and inclusivity.

“For clarity, I am a patriotic Nigerian and for no reason will I engage in any unhealthy competition or rivalry with the men, however it will be fair enough to canvass for fair and considerable representation for the women in the political and socio-economic affairs of our nation.

“I have also observed that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, one of the greatest paradoxes of our political progress has been the persistent underrepresentation of women in legislative bodies, particularly at the State and Federal levels. The gap is not simply a matter of numbers, but a matter of democratic quality and national development,” she said.

Hajia Hansatu who was recently inducted as a member into the Governing Council of AU Agenda 2063 and the Governing Council and Ambassador plenipotentiary, in her critical view observed that although women made up less than 9 per cent of state legislators from 1999 to 2015, those few elected had a measurable impact on legislation.

“My deep research further revealed that female lawmakers sponsored more bills on average than their male counterparts. Their policies often directly address community welfare, health, and women’s rights,” she noted.

Continuing, she said, “Many countries are implementing measures to increase women’s participation in politics, particularly in parliament. These measures include reserving seats for women, establishing quotas within political parties, creating women’s political networks, and enacting electoral reforms, therefore Nigeria cannot be an exception.

“Records equally show that women and gender-diverse people have long struggled for a greater voice in politics. In 2024, only five women were elected in direct presidential elections, despite over 30 countries having presidential elections.

“While more than 45 per cent of public servants are women, they tend to be concentrated in a few fields like education and health care, and even then, they tend to hold lower-level positions, this is not fair at all.

“And yet, when women do lead, the impact is always positive; not just for women, but for the whole of society. Global data by the UNDP reveal that higher levels of women’s political participation is associated with lower risk of civil wars, state-led violence, and violation of political rights.

“There is also increasing evidence that women’s participation contributes positively towards the conclusion of peace talks and the implementation and durability of peace agreements.

“One can recall vividly that during the COVID-19 pandemic, governments that were led by women took action more swiftly, communicated clearly, and were risk averse.

“Women’s participation in political and public spheres is thus integral to the achievement of social justice and has been a key demand and commitment in multiple international conventions. It is my belief that stakeholders across board will heed this genuine and patriotic call,” Hansatu stated.

POLITICS

Tinubu Needs Second Term to Complete Reforms, Says Oyetola

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The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, says President Bola Tinubu needs a second term to complete ongoing reforms and stabilize Nigeria’s economy.

Oyetola, leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, said continuity was crucial at this stage of national development.

In a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola said the President required more time to further deliver democratic dividends.

Recall that on Feb. 14, 2026, Oyetola led the Osun APC to endorse Tinubu at a reception in Osogbo.

According to him, the endorsement followed a careful assessment of the administration’s performance and reform agenda.

“Continuity is crucial at this stage of Nigeria’s development.

“A second term will enable the President to consolidate ongoing reforms, complete major infrastructure projects and fully stabilise the economy.

“President Tinubu has demonstrated courage, capacity and commitment to reposition Nigeria.

“What he needs now is time to complete the good job he has started,” Oyetola said.

He said Tinubu took difficult but necessary decisions at the beginning of his tenure to rescue the economy.

“President Tinubu took courageous and necessary decisions at the outset of his administration to rescue Nigeria’s economy from the brink of collapse.

“These bold fiscal and monetary reforms were not easy, but they were inevitable to stabilise the system and restore confidence.

“Today, we are witnessing improved revenue generation, greater transparency in public finance and renewed investor confidence in our economy,” he said.

Oyetola noted that infrastructure development remained central to the administration’s strategy.

“The President has prioritised massive investments in roads, rail, ports and energy infrastructure across the country.

“These strategic projects are expanding economic opportunities, enhancing connectivity and stimulating job creation nationwide.

“They are laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth and long-term national development,” he said.

The minister also commended the President’s social welfare initiatives.

“While pursuing reforms, the administration has not lost sight of the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

“Through targeted intervention programmes, student loan initiatives and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, the government is cushioning reform impacts.

“This demonstrates that the President is not only reform-minded but also compassionate and people-focused,” he said.

Oyetola added that security coordination had improved under Tinubu’s leadership.

He said increased support for law enforcement was strengthening national stability.

The minister assured that APC members in Osun were fully aligned behind Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Oyetola also expressed confidence that the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, would win the Aug. 15 election in the state. 

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POLITICS

Oyo APC Urges Members to Disregard Fake Exco Lists in Circulation

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The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has urged members and the general public to disregard the fake list of new executives of the party at Ward and local government level in circulation.

APC in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, on Saturday in Ibadan, described the list containing different names of purported new excos members as fake.

Sadare said that the list was being circulated by some mischievous elements to cause disaffection and frustrate the overall interest of the stakeholders and genuine supporters of the APC.

It would be recalled that members of the party in the state participated in the nationwide Ward and LGA congresses held on Feb.

18 and Feb. 21 respectively.

At the congresses, new set of officials, expected to manage the affairs of the party at the grassroots level for the next four years, were elected.

According to Sadare, the party is preparing to hold its state congress on Tuesday at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.

He urged members and supporters of the party to grace the occasion “as all arrangements have been put in place to make it a huge success.

 “We have been inundated with reports of some fake documents being circulated on social media platforms as the lists of the newly elected executive committee members for some Wards and Local Government Areas in the state.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we stand by the outcome of the congresses as successfully done across the 351 Wards and 33 LGAs in the state.

“The consensus arrangement which was prescribed by the national leadership was employed and this gave us the desired results.

 “Therefore, nobody should entertain any fear regarding the status of those who emerged as Ward and Local Government Area executive committee members at the concluded congresses.

 “Their inauguration will be done as soon as the new State Executive Committee is put in place.

 “Also, a new state Exco will emerge on Tuesday through consensus and each of the 33 LGA will have the opportunity to send their choice candidates as representatives.

Sadare urged members and supporters of the party not to worry about the alleged fake list in circulation, stressing “the party is waxing stronger everyday.”

He urged party members and supporters not to entertain fear “as there would be no room for distractions or sabotage from any quarters.

 “There is no doubting the fact that APC is the only serious political party in the country, particularly in Oyo state.

“And as democrats, we will always act to sustain constitutional democracy and the rule of law.” he stated.

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POLITICS

ADC Opens Free Online Membership Registration Portal Nationwide

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African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced the commencement of its free online membership registration and revalidation exercise nationwide launched in February.

This is contained in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Abdullahi said the new digital platform available at www.

adcregistration.ng is crucial to the party’s presentation for the 2027 general elections as well as its various congresses and conventions.

He stated that manual registration would continue simultaneously across the country.

“The new digital registration platform is designed to enable the party to meet requirements of the new Electoral Act 2026 regarding the digital membership register.

“Accordingly, only individuals whose membership details are fully captured and verified in the party’s official digital register will be eligible to vote or be voted for in the party’s primaries.

“Since the launch of the physical and grassroots membership exercise in February, we have recorded strong interests from Nigerians across states and the diaspora.

“It was designed to remove barriers to entry and ensure that every eligible Nigerian, who wishes to identify with the ADC can do so seamlessly and securely,” the party said.

The spokesman urged members who had registered on the party’s previous platform to also revalidate their membership on the new digital portal.

He noted that additional mandatory information is now required to ensure full compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

He encouraged support groups and associations to take advantage of the window to register.

According to him, ADC would like to emphasise that the exercise is without prejudice to our firm objections to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

He added that the party remained committed to building a modern, inclusive, and citizen-driven political movement capable of delivering a better Nigeria that works for all.

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