Anambra 2025: Women Are The Majority Of Voters, But Only A Fraction of Candidates
By IFEOMA IZUCHUKWU
AS Anambra State prepares to elect a new governor this Saturday, the spotlight falls not just on the political heavyweights vying for the top seat but also on a stark gender gap that continues to define Nigerian politics. While women make up over half of registered voters in the state, their presence on the ballot remains minimal. Of the 16 gubernatorial candidates, only two are women, accounting for just 12.5 percent of contenders—a number that starkly contrasts with the 51.03 percent of voters who are female.
Anambra holds a unique place in Nigeria’s political history: it is the only state to have been led by a woman, Virginia Etiaba, albeit briefly, in 2006–2007, following the impeachment of Peter Obi. Etiaba, then deputy governor, assumed office for just a few months before the judiciary reinstated her principal. Her tenure, while symbolic, remains a reminder of what could be possible in a state rich in education, culture, and enterprise, yet hampered by persistent barriers to female political participation.
This year’s election is a competitive field. Incumbent Governor Charles Soludo of APGA seeks re-election, facing 15 other candidates, though analysts identify four major contenders, including Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), George Moghalu (Labour Party), and John Chuma-Nwosu (ADC). Despite the fierce competition, the female aspirants—Chioma Ifemeludike (AAC) and Ndidi Olieh (NRM)—remain largely sidelined in public discourse. Both bring notable experience and vision: Ifemeludike, 36, is a filmmaker and storyteller with a political science background, while Olieh, 42, chairs her party in the state and holds a degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Yet, structural and societal challenges make their paths steep.
Women’s representation in Anambra is limited beyond the gubernatorial race. In the 30-member State House of Assembly, only two lawmakers are women, while at the local government level, female participation is mostly symbolic, confined to “women leader” positions within party structures. Electoral violence, entrenched godfatherism, poverty, and sociocultural expectations further restrict women from contesting, even as they remain highly engaged as voters.
Interestingly, six out of 16 parties (37.5 percent) have nominated women as running mates, a small but notable effort to bring female voices closer to executive decision-making. Among these are high-profile names like Uche Ekwunife (APC), Veronica Okaro (LP), and Blessing Okeke (Action Peoples Party). However, political analysts warn that tokenism cannot substitute for meaningful inclusion or empowerment.
Voter registration data underscores the untapped potential of women in politics. With 2,802,790 registered voters, students make up 29.31 percent, traders 18.47 percent, and business professionals 17.83 percent. Yet, these numbers have not translated into proportional representation. The contrast is stark: a majority electorate with minimal impact on candidate selection and political decision-making.
Anambra’s 2025 election therefore reflects a broader Nigerian reality: women dominate in numbers but remain underrepresented in power. Despite national policies advocating 35 percent affirmative action, implementation remains weak, leaving elections as a mirror of structural inequality. The question for voters, parties, and society is clear: will this election challenge the status quo, or will women remain observers in a political arena they have long supported yet seldom lead?
The stakes are high, not only for the gubernatorial contest but for the future of gender inclusivity in Nigerian politics. Anambra, with its history of female leadership, presents a test case. Beyond electoral results, the true measure of progress will be whether women move from the margins to the center of governance in the state, reshaping political culture and decision-making for generations to come.
