As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 General Elections, one question deserves more attention than it has received: Will women vote for female candidates? It is a reasonable question in a country where women make up a substantial proportion of the electorate but remain significantly underrepresented among those seeking elective office. Yet, it is also a question that requires more than a straightforward answer.
Should women vote for women simply because they are women? Should a female candidate automatically receive the support of other women, regardless of her competence, character, political record or understanding of the issues affecting the people she hopes to represent?
The answer is no.
A woman’s gender should not automatically qualify her for public office, just as being a man should not automatically qualify a man. Voters deserve candidates who understand the responsibilities of leadership, can articulate their priorities, demonstrate integrity and have the capacity to deliver on their promises. However, there is another side to this conversation. Before asking why women are not voting for female candidates, we must examine whether women are being given a fair opportunity to emerge as candidates, secure party tickets, campaign effectively and appear on the ballot in meaningful numbers.
The question, therefore, is not simply whether women will vote for women in 2027. It is whether Nigeria’s political environment gives women a fair chance to compete, whether female candidates are earning the confidence of voters, and whether voters are willing to assess them on the same standards applied to their male counterparts.
For HEIR Women Hub, this conversation is central to understanding women’s political participation and leadership. Greater participation requires more than encouraging women to vote. It also requires examining the conditions under which candidates emerge, the choices available to voters and the expectations citizens bring to the ballot.
The Numbers: How Many Women Are Actually Contesting in 2027?
The 2027 General Elections offer an opportunity to examine women’s representation beyond political promises and campaign messages. The candidates appearing on the ballot provide a clearer picture of who has made it into the contest. The figures emerging from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s published candidate lists show that women remain a small proportion of those contesting some of the country’s most influential elective positions.
The Presidential Election: Who Is on the Ballot?
The presidency remains one of the most visible examples of women’s limited access to political power. According to the published candidate information for the 2027 presidential election, 18 candidates are contesting for the office of President. Two are women: Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement (NRM). This means women account for approximately 11.1 per cent of the presidential candidates. But looking only at the presidential candidates would leave out another important part of the conversation: their running mates. The vice-presidential position is also an important leadership role.
Running mates can contribute to a party’s policy direction, national campaign and governing agenda. Examining the complete presidential tickets therefore provides a broader picture of how political parties position women within their leadership structures.
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