2027: Low Female Aspirants Spark Concern Among Gombe CSOs
By Auwal Ahmad, Gombe
As preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, civil society groups in Gombe State have called on political parties to take concrete steps to improve women’s participation in governance through affirmative action and the creation of special seats.
The call was contained in a joint statement signed by Ibrahim Yusuf on behalf of the Gombe Network of Civil Society Organizations (GONET) and Dr. Leah Iliya Jalo for the Gombe Women Agenda (GWA), and made available to journalists in Gombe on Thursday.
The groups urged party leaders to demonstrate commitment to inclusive politics by adopting policies that ensure better representation of women in leadership and elective positions.
They noted that although women constitute a significant proportion of the population and contribute actively to community development, their presence in political leadership remains minimal due to systemic barriers, including cultural norms, financial constraints, and structural imbalances within party systems.
The organisations stressed that affirmative action and special legislative seats for women should not be seen as privileges, but as necessary interventions aimed at correcting long-standing inequalities and promoting fairness in democratic participation.
According to the statement, inclusive governance cannot be achieved without the active involvement of women, warning that continued exclusion undermines the quality of decision-making and limits development outcomes.
The groups called on political parties to adopt measurable strategies, including allocating a defined percentage of leadership positions and candidacies to women, supporting the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill, and reserving party tickets at all levels for qualified female aspirants.
They also recommended reducing or waiving nomination fees for women to ease financial barriers, while advocating safer and more supportive political environments that protect women from intimidation and violence.
The organisations further emphasised the need for transparent and merit-based candidate selection processes that give women equal opportunities to compete.
Highlighting the broader benefits of women’s inclusion, the statement linked increased female representation to improved policymaking, stronger focus on education, healthcare and social welfare, enhanced peacebuilding efforts, and greater public trust in democratic institutions.
GONET and GWA described the 2027 elections as a critical opportunity for political actors in Gombe State to move beyond rhetoric and implement concrete reforms that reflect gender equity.
They reaffirmed their commitment to sustained advocacy, dialogue, and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure that women are not only included in governance but are empowered to lead.
