ABUJA — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting female participation in governance and party leadership. The party's national leadership announced on Tuesday that it will actively pursue greater representation for women in both elective and appointive positions as the country gears up for the 2027 electoral cycle.

Strengthening the "Pillars" of the Party

During a meeting at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, the party's leadership hosted the National Women Leader, Mary Alile, and a delegation of zonal and state women leaders. The leadership emphasized that women are the "pillars" of the party, consistently providing the necessary mobilization and support during campaigns and elections.

The leadership underscored that despite women’s critical contributions, they have historically been underrepresented in key decision-making structures. To address this, the party outlined several commitments:

Leadership Pathways: Creating more opportunities for women to secure nominations for State Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly.

Appointment Advocacy: Championing female participation in executive appointments and the formation of campaign councils for 2027.

Competence-Based Inclusion: Challenging the notion that gender is a barrier to governance, and asserting that female party members possess the capacity to excel at the highest levels.

Redefining "Federal Character"

In a significant policy shift, the leadership advocated for a broader interpretation of Nigeria’s "Federal Character" principle. The party argued that inclusion should not merely be about geographical or ethnic balancing, but must also incorporate gender.

"Federal character is not only about where you come from; it is also about gender. We will be your voice and stand firmly with you," the party leadership stated, emphasizing that decisions made today will shape the future for the next generation of women in Nigerian politics.

A Call for Greater Inclusion

Mary Alile, the National Women Leader, praised the party’s commitment, noting that women have been instrumental in the electoral successes of the APC and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She urged the party to translate this support into concrete action, calling for greater inclusion across all levels of governance.

The meeting concluded with a pledge to unify the party’s structures and ensure that women stakeholders are given a central role in the preparations for the 2027 elections.