Back Women To Lead and Win in 2027

Greetings my dear Governor and Party Chairman.  I’m writing today because 2027 will be decided in the next few weeks — and you hold the pen.

Primaries are over. In the next few days, the names you send to INEC will decide if Nigeria takes a giant step toward balance, or if we tell half our population to wait until 2031. I’m humbly appealing to you as leaders with the power to change this: back women to lead and to win in 2027. History never forgets. In 20 years, your children and grandchildren will either say you opened the door, or that you held it shut. I hope your name will be written in our history as one who chose an equitable Nigeria.

Here’s why this matters now. We are 49.7% of Nigeria — over 108 million people. We are the ones who queue under the sun and rain to vote. We are 60% of the informal market economy. We run 41% of micro-businesses. We keep our dear Nigeria alive — in our markets, schools, hospitals and homes. We are the talent Nigeria cannot afford to waste away. When a woman leads, the data is clear: the whole family rises. Health budgets go up. Maternal deaths go down. Children, especially girls, stay in school longer. Money reaches communities, not just contracts. We’ve seen it in the 9 female Deputy Governors serving today who make us proud. Women don’t just fill seats — they shift priorities.

We’ve seen what intentional leadership looks like. In Kwara, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq showed it can be done by appointing 56.25% women in his first cabinet — the first female-majority cabinet in Africa — and a 50-50 cabinet in his second. He signed a law mandating 35% gender inclusion in all appointments and he led by example through implementation. Kwara is also home to Nigeria’s youngest female state lawmaker and the youngest Commissioner in Nigeria, who is also female. That intentionality changed the face of leadership in Kwara.

Dear Governor and Party Chairman, if we miss this window, we wait another 4 years. But here’s what you can do now:

1. Back the women on your governorship ballot. They are not placeholders or “party loyalty” candidates. They are ready and they can win — if you give them your full political machinery and financial support. Release funds early. Show up at their rallies. Put them on your billboards. Don’t let them run alone.

• Balance your ticket. If you as Governor are a man, pick a woman as Deputy. No law stops you. No tradition binds you. It’s the right thing to do and it’s smart politics. Women voters will reward you. Young people will believe you. History will record you.

• Help change the rules. The Special Seats Bill reserved for women is back on the horizon with talks of an electoral college as a temporary measure. Appeal to your House of Representatives members to vote yes when the bill is presented. You could also suggest to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to consider an Executive Order before 2027 elections to guarantee minimum representation. Nothing is impossible in Nigeria. Something has to give. These temporary measures are the bridge to fairness.

To the governors and parties already backing women: thank you. To the governorship candidates who have already chosen women as running mates for 2027: thank you. You are showing Nigeria what balanced leadership looks like. You are giving voters a real choice. We see you. Nigeria sees you. Our children will remember your names. Your children, grandchildren and unborn generations will be proud of you.

To those still deciding: the country is watching. Voters are watching. The world is watching. This is your legacy moment.

Please. Back women for Governor. Balance your tickets. Pass the reforms. Let 2027 be the year we stopped talking and started doing.

God bless you as you decide. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Toun Okewale Sonaiya is a broadcaster and advocate for fairness and equity.