2027: NGO Trains Women On Political Leadership, Campaign Preparedness In Borno

The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening women’s political participation, leadership capacity and campaign preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections in Borno State.

The organisation stated this on Thursday in Maiduguri during a two-day Women’s Political Leadership and Campaign Readiness Workshop organised under its project to strengthen women’s political participation and promote peaceful and inclusive electoral processes ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking at the workshop, the Programme Officer of PWAN’s Borno Office, Zainab Waziri, described the event as an opportunity to equip women with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to participate meaningfully in political and electoral processes.

Waziri explained that PWAN is a women-led non-governmental organisation committed to enhancing citizen participation, improving security governance and strengthening protection systems across Nigeria and West Africa.

She disclosed that the project was being implemented with support from the Government of Ireland’s International Development Programme to promote an enabling environment for women to participate actively and safely in politics and governance.

According to her, the initiative seeks to increase women’s participation and confidence in political processes, promote peaceful and non-violent electoral engagement, and strengthen collaboration among women leaders, political actors, security agencies and electoral stakeholders.

She said participants at the workshop included women aspirants, women leaders, women-led organisations, female community members, civil society organisations (CSOs) and female journalists, among others.

Speaking on gender barriers and inclusive decision-making, Associate Professor Zainab Chellube said the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provides a legal framework for women to participate in political activities and occupy leadership positions.

She urged women to build their confidence, assert their rights and aspire to political office as the 2027 general elections approach.

Chellube encouraged women not to restrict themselves to marriage and domestic responsibilities, stressing that demonstrating their competence and capacity in politics and leadership would help challenge cultural barriers and other constraints limiting their participation.

She maintained that sustained participation by women in political and leadership positions would help change societal perceptions and promote greater inclusion in decision-making.

Also speaking, a facilitator at the workshop, Dr Victor Ularju Pius, urged women to embrace a culture of service to humanity, noting that leadership entails responsibility and commitment to the welfare of the people.

“Leadership is called to service, while the call to service is leadership,” Pius said, urging women to understand the responsibilities associated with public office.

He described the workshop as a call to action, encouraging women to participate actively in politics and other spheres of endeavour rather than remain passive observers.

One of the participants, Fatima Abdullahi Umar, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 Borno State governorship election, said the growing interest of women in political office was partly driven by the need to address their longstanding underrepresentation in the state’s political affairs.

Umar said the workshop had strengthened participants’ confidence to pursue political positions traditionally perceived as the preserve of men.

She expressed optimism that increased capacity-building initiatives and sustained encouragement would help more women overcome the challenges associated with political participation.

Another participant, Lolo Chidinma Nwoka, commended PWAN for organising the workshop, saying it had equipped participants with valuable knowledge about their rights and responsibilities in politics and leadership.

Nwoka said the training had broadened her understanding of issues she had previously found difficult to approach as a woman interested in political participation.

“I have learnt a lot, and a lot has been imparted to women, especially in terms of knowing their rights as women in politics or as those vying for political positions,” she said.

She added that the workshop had opened her eyes to new perspectives and helped address some of her concerns about participating in politics and leadership.

The workshop is part of ongoing efforts to advance women’s political leadership, promote gender-responsive governance and encourage greater participation by women in Nigeria’s democratic processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.