Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Women members of the All Progressives Congress have issued a direct and urgent appeal to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, urging her to use her influence to champion greater political inclusion for women, particularly in elective and appointive positions across the country. The women made the call on Thursday, August 27, 2026, during a medical and food relief outreach organised by the Faleke Women Movement for Renewed Hope at the APC secretariat in Ojodu, Lagos State, an event that drew no fewer than 1,000 residents, including vulnerable women, widows, and elderly persons.
The appeal reflects a growing frustration among female party faithful who argue that despite their significant participation in political activities and party mobilisation, women remain severely under-represented in decision-making positions. Speaking at the event, the National Women Leader of the Faleke Women Movement for Renewed Hope, Hajia Asmau Ohikere, did not mince words. She declared that women have proven their capacity and are ready to take on leadership roles, but the political system continues to marginalise them. "If you put us in a leadership position, you will see that our ideas matter, and we are going to make a change. Look at the couple of women who are working with Mr President, even the governors. They are making an impact. This is what we want," Ohikere said. She stressed that the nation is losing out on the knowledge and exposure of highly educated and travelled women who are ready to contribute to the country's development.
Ohikere's message was a direct call to action for the First Lady, whom she described as the "mother of the nation." She urged Remi Tinubu to go beyond symbolic gestures and actively intervene at the highest levels of power. "I am using this opportunity to further urge our First Lady, the mother of the nation. Please, while this campaign is going on, we are going to be emphasising more that, please, speak for us. Call the governors, ministers, and the leaders of each state. Call them to a roundtable and ask them why they are not allowing women to occupy certain positions," Ohikere pleaded. She added that stronger support for female politicians would help dismantle the longstanding barriers that have kept women from participating fully in governance.
The call for 30 per cent representation was a recurring theme throughout the event. The President of the Faleke Women Movement for Renewed Hope, Zainab Ogundana, commended President Bola Tinubu for his past record of including women in governance, noting that as Governor of Lagos State, he appointed a female deputy governor and several women as commissioners. However, she made it clear that the current level of inclusion is insufficient. "He's someone who believes in the capacity of women. So, now that he's the President, he has included us, but we are not satisfied. We want more. We want to be included more. At least, he should give us 30 per cent minimum. At least, that would encourage us more," Ogundana said. She expressed confidence that Tinubu would win re-election and predicted that his second term could see women receiving as much as 40 per cent representation.
The Convener and Board of Trustees Chairman of the movement, Fatima Nanakeme, also emphasised the group's commitment to mobilising women across all 36 states to secure Tinubu's re-election. She urged the First Lady to ensure that women are not just used as foot soldiers during elections but are also given a seat at the decision-making table. The outreach itself was a testament to the grassroots organising power of APC women, who used the event to provide relief to the vulnerable while also making a powerful political statement. The medical and food relief outreach was not just an act of charity; it was a strategic show of force, demonstrating that women are the backbone of the party's grassroots mobilisation.
The appeal to Remi Tinubu comes at a critical moment as the APC prepares for the 2027 general elections. The party has been working to consolidate its support base, particularly among women, who are seen as a vital voting bloc. However, the women's demand for tangible political inclusion reflects a broader reckoning within Nigerian politics about the role of women. Despite constitutional provisions and international commitments to gender equality, Nigeria ranks among the lowest in the world for women's political representation. The APC women's demand for a 30 per cent minimum is a significant escalation in the fight for gender parity, and they have placed the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the First Lady.
The event in Ojodu also doubled as a prayer session for the re-election of President Tinubu and the member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke. This alignment of loyalty with demands for inclusion is a calculated political strategy. The women are making it clear that they are willing to deliver votes, but they expect a return on their investment in the form of political appointments and elective positions. As Ohikere put it, "We are not being represented the way we should be". The message is loud and clear: the days of women being merely mobilisers without being decision-makers are over.
The Faleke Women Movement for Renewed Hope has positioned itself as a key vehicle for this push, and the First Lady is now the target of their most direct appeal. Whether Remi Tinubu will take up the mantle and challenge the political establishment to open up space for women remains to be seen. But the women of the APC have drawn a line in the sand. They are no longer content with being thanked for their support; they want a seat at the table. As one of the speakers noted, the women are "well educated, well exposed, and well travelled". They are demanding that their knowledge be put to use for the betterment of the country.
The pressure on the First Lady to act is now immense. The women are calling on her to convene a roundtable of governors and ministers to demand accountability on gender inclusion. They are challenging her to use her position as the "mother of the nation" to advocate for policies that will create more opportunities for women in politics. The success or failure of this appeal could have significant implications for the APC's electoral fortunes in 2027. If the party fails to address the concerns of its female members, it risks alienating a crucial voting bloc that has been instrumental in its previous electoral victories.
The medical and food relief outreach in Ojodu was a powerful display of the organisational strength of APC women. They mobilised resources, provided essential services to the community, and used the platform to amplify their political demands. The event served as a reminder that women are not just passive supporters of the party; they are active participants who are demanding a greater say in how the country is governed. The appeal to Remi Tinubu is a strategic move, aimed at leveraging the First Lady's influence to effect change from the top.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the demand for women's inclusion is likely to intensify. The APC women have made it clear that they will not be satisfied with tokenism. They want measurable progress towards the 30 per cent target, and they are looking to Remi Tinubu to lead the charge. The First Lady now faces a critical test of her leadership. Will she answer the call of the women who have been the backbone of her husband's political success? The answer to that question could shape the future of Nigerian politics for years to come.
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