Concerned women in politics across Kwara State have expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary process ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that women were largely sidelined despite years of advocacy for greater inclusion in elective politics.
In a press statement issued on Monday and signed by the Coordinator of Concerned Women in Politics, Kwara State, Hajia Balikis AbdulRasaq, the women called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, APC leaders, party elders and other stakeholders to address what they described as inadequate representation of women in the party’s emerging political structure.
The group noted that their concerns were heightened by the widely acknowledged record of the AbdulRazaq administration in promoting women into strategic leadership positions and advancing gender inclusion in governance.
According to the statement, many women across Kwara North, Kwara Central and Kwara South were encouraged to seek elective offices following repeated assurances by party leaders and the establishment of the Kwara State Female Aspirants Group (KSFAG), created to support and mentor female aspirants.
The women said these developments inspired many qualified women to invest significant time, resources and energy in pursuing elective positions under the APC platform, with some even aspiring to higher offices, including the governorship.
However, they lamented that the outcome of the primary process did not reflect the expectations created by the party’s commitment to women’s participation, noting that female aspirants emerged with limited representation in the allocation of major elective tickets.
The group also expressed concern over complaints from party members regarding aspects of the primary process, with questions raised in some constituencies over the level of transparency and whether the preferences of party members were adequately reflected in the final outcomes.
While reaffirming their loyalty to the APC, the women stressed that their intervention was intended to strengthen the party and preserve the values of fairness, participation and justice that defined the Otoge movement and contributed to the party’s rise in Kwara State.
They acknowledged ongoing consultations and reconciliation efforts within the party and urged stakeholders to use the opportunity to address legitimate grievances and rebuild confidence among members ahead of the 2027 elections.
The women specifically called for a review of women’s representation within the party, fair consideration for qualified female aspirants during ongoing negotiations, and stronger commitment to internal democracy and transparency.
They further appealed to party leaders to preserve and strengthen the legacy of gender inclusion that has become associated with the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stressing that women remain a critical force in grassroots mobilisation and electoral success.
The statement concluded that women in Kwara were not seeking special privileges but fairness, inclusion and the fulfilment of promises made regarding political participation, urging APC leaders to ensure that the state’s progressive reputation for empowering women is reflected in elective positions as well as appointments.
