The Gender and election watch of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund has deployed observers across the six geopolitical zones of the country ahead of the governorship and state houses of assembly elections on March 18, 2023.

NWTF GEW commends INEC for early distribution of materials across the States particularly states with NWTF GEW observers who attested to this in Kano, Kogi, Adamawa, Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, and Anambra states. According to the CEO NWTF, Mufuliat Fijabi this is a commendable development and should influence the early deployment of officials and opening of polls on election day. The Gender Watch Room has observed the calmness across the country but has perceived underlying fears of security threats especially for women in Kano and Rivers states, the announcement of the conduct of cultural rites in some parts of Lagos has also created additional worries and concerns for voters. In Anambra State, the absence of patrolling security personnel in a lot of local government areas calls for concern and worry for the electorates. In view of these concerns, NWTF GEW calls on security agencies to maintain neutrality and avoid any form of partisanship in the discharge of their duties and allay the fears of voters especially women throughout the elections.

The NWTF GEW also worries about accredited observers in Adamawa state due to the ban on the operations of non-governmental organizations as some are already present in the state for election observation as INEC has accredited these observers in line with the Commission’s guidelines, this calls for concern as this might affect the number of election observers in the state.

Women have been urged to sustain their resilience and commitment to the electoral process and ensure that they vote in the elections. INEC has also been urged to deliver a free, fair and credible elections across the country and improve on the performance of the February 25 elections.

The NWTF GEW is an initiative set to gather information and carry out analysis on women’s participation in the elections in comparison to men as well as the assessment of all critical components of the electoral processes for action and advisory towards a more vibrant democratic governance in Nigeria.

Esther Alaribe
Women Radio 91.7
news@wfm917.com