The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s political inclusion in Osun State, reserving 50 per cent of its candidature slots for women ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s State Chairman, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, disclosed this during the NNPP primary elections held in Osogbo, where candidates for the National and State Assemblies were unveiled.
According to Odeyemi, the decision reflects the party’s confidence in women’s capacity to provide effective leadership and contribute meaningfully to governance and national development.
“We believe strongly in the capacity of women to lead and transform society. That is why half of our tickets went to women,” he said.
He added that the NNPP is positioning itself as a credible alternative for Nigerians seeking responsive and inclusive leadership, while urging candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns and avoid defamatory politics.
Speaking at the event, the NNPP candidate for Osun West Senatorial District, Hon. Makinde Folasayo, called on women across the state to take a more active role in politics and seek elective offices.
She observed that women often play significant roles in mobilising voters during elections but are frequently excluded from decision-making positions after victories are secured.
“Men use us during campaigns because they know we can mobilise votes. But once they get to power, they neglect us,” she said.
Makinde commended the party leadership for creating opportunities for women to contest elective positions, describing the move as a bold step toward achieving gender-balanced representation.
“Women are nation builders. We have empathy and we know where the shoe pinches. Given the chance, we can transform the nation for good,” she added.
She appealed to voters, particularly women in Osun West Senatorial District, to support female candidates and help strengthen women’s representation in governance.
The primaries, monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ended with the affirmation of all NNPP candidates, who pledged to take their campaigns to communities across the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party’s decision to allocate half of its tickets to women is being viewed as a significant step toward addressing the persistent underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political landscape and expanding opportunities for female leadership at all levels of government.
