A nationwide voters’ preference survey has revealed that Nigerians are increasingly willing to elect women, young people and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), provided they are considered competent, qualified and possess credible leadership track records.

The findings are contained in Nigeria’s first nationally Representative Voters’ Preference Survey (VPS), unveiled by Invictus Africa, a civic-tech organisation, in Abuja.

The survey examined voter behaviour ahead of the 2027 elections.

Conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the pre-election survey sampled 11,196 eligible voters to assess voting patterns, electoral preferences and participation intentions ahead of 2027.

Speaking at the unveiling on Tuesday, the Executive Director of Invictus Africa, Bukky Shonibare, said the survey was designed to move national discourse from assumptions to evidence through direct voter engagement.

She said the study sought to understand not only whether Nigerians intended to vote for women, youths and PWDs, but also the factors likely to influence decisions at polls.

“We believed we needed to hear from voters themselves. It is one thing to intend to vote for a woman or a person with disability; it is another thing to get to the polling unit and actually vote,” she said.

According to Shonibare, 64.4 per cent of respondents expressed willingness to vote for women in the 2027 elections, but concerns remain about whether female candidates will appear on ballots.

“What we have seen from today’s data is that 64.4 per cent of Nigerians are willing to vote for women, but the question is, will those women actually make it to the ballot?

“Many Nigerians are unaware that women, young people or persons with disabilities are even on the ballot when elections are held,” she said.

Shonibare said the survey found that 69.1 per cent of respondents had never voted for a woman, largely because many had not encountered female candidates during elections.

She added that the findings suggested voter resistance was not the primary obstacle to inclusive political representation, indicating that structural and institutional barriers remained significant challenges.

“The conversation is about whether women, young people or persons with disabilities become candidates. The question is how do we ensure they actually win elections,” she said.

According to her, Nigerians overwhelmingly indicated that merit, competence, honesty and proven leadership experience, rather than gender, age or disability status, would determine their voting decisions.

“When you are campaigning, don’t campaign based on identity alone. Voters are telling us that what works for them is merit, qualification and track record.

“They want evidence that if you hold office, you have the capacity to deliver,” she said.

Shonibare said the survey also showed that voters were more inclined to support women for legislative positions than executive offices, with support lowest for female presidential candidates.

She added that 74.9 per cent of respondents indicated they would definitely participate in the 2027 general elections, although security, accessibility and electoral conditions could influence eventual turnout.

Shonibare said Invictus Africa would conduct a post-election survey after the 2027 polls to compare voters’ stated intentions with their actual voting behaviour and outcomes.

“If 64.4 per cent say they will vote for a woman, but after the election only 15 per cent actually do, we want to understand why.

“Was it vote-buying? Was it violence? Was it intimidation? We want data, not assumptions, to explain the gap between intention and reality,” she said.

The Head of Data and Research at Invictus Africa, Gabriel Mobuogwu, said the survey was prompted by the absence of empirical evidence on voter perceptions.

Mobuogwu noted that while women accounted for nearly half of Nigeria’s population and registered voters, youths formed the largest voting bloc and PWDs remained underrepresented politically.

“What we found is that structural barriers remain the biggest challenge.

“Nigerians are open to voting for women, youths and persons with disabilities. What matters now is for political parties and other stakeholders to give these candidates a fair chance to emerge on the ballot,” he said.

Representing the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Technical Assistant Precious Agharese-Esai described the report as a significant development in understanding women’s political participation.

She said the findings offered a fresh perspective capable of strengthening advocacy efforts aimed at increasing women’s inclusion and representation in governance and elective positions nationwide.

Also speaking, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Women Radio 97.1FM, Toun Sonaiya, described the survey as a valuable resource for political actors.

“The people who matter are those who have voters’ cards and will vote on Election Day.

“Any politician who wants to win elections must understand the mindset of those voters, and that is exactly what this survey has provided,” she said.

Stakeholders at the event said the findings would contribute meaningfully to discussions on Nigeria’s electoral process, political inclusion and representative democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi on Monday, began its campaign for the Aug. 22 Local Government Areas (LGA) elections at Ikwo with the resolve to garner massive grassroots mobilisation.

The party’s leaders from Ikwo LGA and beyond in unison, emphasised the need for increased collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to secure victory across the 171 wards and 13 LGAs of the state.

Gov.

Nwifuru, represented by the state Deputy Governor, Patricia Obila, described the party’s chairmanship and councillor candidates as “tested, trusted and marketable”.

“I therefore urge party supporters to embark on issue-based campaigns and avoid actions capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the election.

“We have presented these candidates to you and it is therefore, your responsibility to go into communities and make them acceptable to the people.

“They are the best products to be fielded, so do not be distracted by negative propaganda,” he said.

He commended the outgoing council Chairman, Sunday Nwankwo, for promoting peace, unity and development, noting that his administration had laid a solid foundation for the incoming leadership.

The Chairman of the occasion and former Ebonyi governor, Chief Martin Elechi, counseled that political campaigns should not be mistaken for periods of rancour and hostilities.

“I urge all political actors to respect the constitutional rights of citizens to belong to any party of their choice.

“We are not here to fight anybody, so nobody should intimidate or attack another because of political differences

“I am confident that the APC will emerge victorious because of the people’s support for the present administration in the state,” he said

Similarly, the Speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, Chief Moses Odunwa, called on party faithful to support APC candidates at all levels as the party remained united for total victory.

“I urge residents to maintain peace before, during and after the election. I also encourage eligible voters to participate actively in the electoral process,” he said.

The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Chief Chinedu Ogah said the event was the beginning of political mobilisation across the state.

“I urge eligible voters to obtain and safeguard their PVCs ahead of the polls and be assured that every vote will count,” he said.

The APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Emegha, thanked Ikwo people for their steadfast support for the party as it showed widespread acceptance across the locality.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has declared that Nigeria is open for business and ready to deepen investment, trade and tourism partnerships with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continues to create new opportunities for economic growth and international collaboration.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Nigeria–Saudi Diaspora Investment and Tourism Exhibition Summit 2026 in Abuja, the Minister said the Federal Government is implementing bold reforms aimed at building a competitive, investor-friendly economy driven by enterprise, innovation and private sector growth.

“Nigeria is open for business and ready for deeper partnership with Saudi Arabia. Our economic reforms are creating new opportunities for investment, trade and tourism, and we invite investors to take advantage of the enormous potential our country offers,” Idris said.

The Minister described the summit as an important platform for governments, investors and the private sector to forge practical partnerships that will expand trade, stimulate investment, create jobs and strengthen economic relations between both countries.

He said President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is transforming Nigeria’s investment landscape through strategic reforms in infrastructure, economic diversification, agriculture, education financing, digital innovation, skills development and improved security.

According to the Minister, these reforms are laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth while enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness as a preferred destination for regional and global investment.

“Our responsibility is to continue projecting an accurate, balanced and confident narrative about Nigeria. Investment flourishes where there is transparency, policy consistency and trust. We are committed to ensuring that the world sees Nigeria for what it truly is—a country of immense opportunity, resilience and promise,” he said.

The Minister also underscored the invaluable role of Nigerians in the diaspora as ambassadors of the nation’s economic potential, noting that their expertise, professional networks and entrepreneurial success continue to strengthen bilateral relations and attract investment into Nigeria.

He urged participants to translate discussions into concrete outcomes through increased investment, technology transfer, tourism development, innovation partnerships and joint ventures that will deliver lasting benefits to both countries.

“Let us move beyond dialogue to action. Let us build partnerships that create jobs, grow businesses, promote innovation and improve the lives of our people,” the Minister stated.

In her remarks, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, called for stronger economic collaboration between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia through diaspora-led investments. She urged investors to explore opportunities in real estate, agriculture, tourism, logistics and other strategic sectors, stressing that Nigerians in the diaspora remain critical partners in national development.

“Our diaspora contributes far more than remittances. They bring global expertise, market intelligence, credibility and valuable networks that can unlock investment and create jobs. Let us move beyond conversations to practical partnerships that will strengthen commercial ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia,” she said.

The summit brought together senior government officials, business leaders, investors, development partners and members of the Nigerian diaspora to explore new opportunities for expanding investment, tourism and economic cooperation between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In attendance were the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, represented by the Special Assistant to the President on Export Expansion, Office of the Vice President, Mr Aliyu Bunu Sheriff; the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, represented by the Commissioner of the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Technology, Patience Fakai, among other dignitaries.