2027: Otti Calls on Male Politicians to Step Aside to Expand Women’s Role in Government

Published by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

Abuja/Lagos — In a statement that has captured national attention and sharpened debate on gender equity in Nigerian politics, Abia State Governor Alex Otti has called on male politicians to consider stepping aside to create space for women as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. The governor’s appeal, made during a public event in Onu‑Igbere, Bende Local Government Area, is part of a wider push to address the persistent under-representation of women in decision-making positions across the nation’s political landscape.

Speaking on April 8, during the burial ceremony of Mrs. Chiamaka Joyce Ibekwe, the late wife of a state legislator, Otti emphasised that the push for gender inclusion is not just symbolic but fundamental to democratic governance. He noted that in the current Abia State House of Assembly, all 24 members are men — a situation he described as “untenable” ahead of the crucial elections next year. “It’s time for women to be given their rightful place,” Otti said, urging his colleagues to be proactive in ensuring that more women are elected into legislative seats. “Where there is no woman sitting, you must either create more constituencies or ask some men to step down for women as we approach 2027.”

Otti’s remarks were delivered alongside his approval for the erection of monuments honouring the contributions of women in Abia State, a recognition championed by the late Mrs. Ibekwe’s husband, Honourable Nnamdi Ibekwe. The governor’s endorsement of the proposal reflects his broader narrative that women have played pivotal roles in the social, economic and political development of the region, harking back to historical movements such as the 1929 Aba Women’s Riot which highlighted women’s collective action and resilience.

While Otti did not specify which individuals might step aside, his comments have ignited conversation among political circles and civil society groups. Nigeria has long struggled with gender parity in representation: women constitute a minority in both federal and state legislative bodies, often hindered by socio-economic barriers, cultural norms and limited access to party nominations and campaign resources. Analysts note that such systemic challenges make it difficult for women to compete on equal footing with male counterparts, a gap gender advocates say must be bridged if democracy is to reflect the country’s diverse population.

Otti also directly called on women to demonstrate unity and readiness to lead, urging them to put forward credible candidates who can effectively contest elections and deliver value to their constituents. His appeal came amid heightened political activity as parties prepare for primaries and campaign planning for the 2027 elections — a period when competition for elective offices typically intensifies and gender representation debates become more pronounced.

Experts say the governor’s intervention aligns with broader efforts within Nigeria and beyond to elevate women’s participation in politics. In several countries, advocates have pursued legal mechanisms like quotas or internal party targets to ensure women occupy a substantial proportion of legislative seats. In Nigeria, while such statutory quotas have not been adopted at the federal level, political parties and interest groups have increasingly pressed for reforms in candidate selection processes and support mechanisms to improve women’s electoral prospects, especially in the lead-up to major polls.

The call for increased female political participation is not unique to Abia. Recently, a group of female deputy governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) urged their party to back at least one female gubernatorial candidate per geopolitical zone by 2027 and to expand women’s roles within party leadership. These demands underscore a broader conversation within political ranks about the necessity of gender balance in elective and appointive roles nationwide.

Despite growing support for gender inclusivity, Nigeria’s political institutions remain male-dominated. Data from recent election cycles show women holding a small fraction of legislative seats at both the state and federal levels. Gender equality advocates argue that without targeted support — such as campaign funding, training for women aspirants, and reforms to internal party nomination rules — voluntary measures alone may not yield substantial change ahead of the next elections.

Reactions to Otti’s call have been mixed. Supporters of his appeal welcomed the attention on an entrenched issue, saying that high-profile endorsements from sitting governors could help shift longstanding norms and inspire more women to contest elections. They view Otti’s stance as timely, given the rising public discourse around democratic inclusivity and representation.

However, some observers caution that asking male politicians to step down, while commendable in principle, could encounter resistance within political parties where competition for seats is fierce and individual ambitions are high. Critics also highlight that structural obstacles — including financial barriers and grassroots mobilization challenges — will need to be addressed alongside leadership appeals if meaningful progress is to be made.

As the nation edges closer to the 2027 electoral cycle, debates around gender representation are likely to intensify. Civil society organisations, political analysts and women’s rights advocates are expected to scrutinise party manifestos, candidate lists and electoral strategies for commitments to gender equity. The strength of Otti’s call — and whether it extends beyond rhetoric into measurable shifts in political participation — will be tested in the months ahead as stakeholders across Nigeria consider how to translate such appeals into concrete outcomes.

For now, the governor’s intervention has added a significant voice to a longstanding national conversation about who gets to represent Nigerians in the corridors of power and what steps are necessary to ensure that women are not left behind in the country’s democratic journey.

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