Since the inception of the democratic rule in 1999, the women are yet to be elected as governors. The best they have got is the ineffective, bench warming role of deputy governor. But come this Saturday, March 18, 2023, a total of 24 women will be vying for the number one seat across 28 states of the federation. Can a woman finally spring the surprise; is history about to be make; are we about to see for the first time in Nigeria’s politics the first elected female Governor?
Of the 24 women vying to govern states in the country from the 18 political parties, only two women won the tickets of any of the three major parties the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the new sensation, Labour Party.
The low number of female candidates and the consignment of the few female candidates to the fringe parties is a testimony to the low representation of women in political offices in Nigeria which has continuously led to the clamour for 35 per cent affirmative action to ensure inclusion of more women in governance.
ValidView Network chronicle the amazons of the 2023 gubernatorial election.
Johnson-Ogbuneke Gladys Ikonnaya Ugozika
Johnson-Ogbuneke Gladys Ikonnaya Ugozika of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is a trained medical doctor, politician and businesswoman that is contesting for Abia state governor. According to the 58-years-old, she joined politics in order to bring about the needed change in the political atmosphere of Nigeria.
Lancaster- Okoro Nnennaya Ngwamma
Dahiru Ahmed Aishatu
Of all the female contestants in the governorship election, Senator Dahiru Ahmed Aishatu also known as Binani, stands the better chance of making history as the first elected governor in Nigeria. She is currently a serving senator under the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) representing Adamawa Central senatorial district. She was formerly a member of the House of Representatives representing Yola North/Yola South/Girei federal constituency as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 7th Assembly (20112015).
Senator Dahiru is one of the two women representing the major parties in the governorship election across Nigeria. A graduate of Electrical Engineering from University of Southampton, United Kingdom, Senator Dahiru is expected to offer the stiffest challenge to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday. She won the APC Adamawa governorship primary after polling 430 votes to defeat many prominent male politicians, including a former boss of the EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu.
Udoh Emem Monday
Udoh Emem Monday is an expert in integrated reservoir modelling, asset development strategy, petroleum, exploration and appraisal, technical Reservoir Simulation.
With the skills she has applied effectively in a competitive corporate world and with her enhanced knowledge and expertise, she is bringing that to bear in her quest to occupy the number one position in Akwa Ibom State.
Udoh Emem is the flagbearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Dr. Roseline Ada Chenge
Roseline Ada Chenge is a former Benue State gubernatorial aspirant on the platforms of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007, and All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.
She has a string of firsts attached to her name. She is not only Northern Nigerias first female mechanical engineer but also the first female Managing Director, Benue State Water Board, and the first female Managing Director of the 12 River Basins in the country.
In this election, she is clamouring to become her states first female governor under the Action Democratic Party (ADP).
Aondona Dabo-Adzuana
Also aiming to govern the North-central state is Aondona Dabo-Adzuana of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The businesswoman represented Jachira Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007.
Abubakar Fatima
Abubakar Fatima is the governorship candidate of African Democratic Party (ADP) in Borno state. She is aiming to wrestle power from the incumbent governor, Babagana Zulum who is seeking a second term in office.
Ibiang Marikana Stanley
In Cross Rivers, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) handed its flag to Ibiang Marikana Stanley.
Onokiti Helen Agboola
In Delta State, Onokiti Helen Agboola is one of the two women on the governorship election ballot. The entrepreneur is the candidate of the Accord party.
Cosmas Annabel
Cosmas Annabel, is an entrepreneur who obtained a Higher Diploma in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from the University of Ibadan, she is contesting as the candidate of All Peoples Party (APP) in the South-south state of Delta.
Chinenye Igwe
In Ebonyi State, Chinenye Igwe is contesting under the platform of Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Ogochukwu Nweze
Ogochukwu Nweze, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is contesting to replace outgoing governor ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Nweze holds an OND in Marketing from Institute of Management and Technology.
Umar Binta Yahaya
Umar Binta Yahaya is the candidate of Action Alliance (AA) in Jigawa State, an entrepreneur and founder of Mainstream Yahaya Academy. She holds a Diploma in Public Administration from Jigawa State Polytechnic.
Ekanem Abasiekeme
Ekanem Abasiekeme of the Action Alliance Party (AAP) is one of the two women among the governorship candidates in Akwa-Ibom State. She is a graduate of Chemistry from the University of Uyo and founder of Sengah Life Foundation.
Aishatu Mahmud
Aishatu Mahmud is vying to become the governor of Kano state under the National Rescue Movement (NRM). A graduate of the prestigious Bayero University, Kano, with B.sc honors in Economics and a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the same university. Mahmud has experience and expertise in both public and the private sector.
Yakubu Furera Ahmad
Yakubu Furera Ahmad along with Aishatu Mahmud are the two women contesting to take over from the outgoing Umar Ganduje. Furera Ahmad is an entrepreneur who is contesting under the flag of Boot Party (BP).
Motunrayo Jaiyeola
In Kwara State, Motunrayo Jaiyeola, an entrepreneur, is the flag bearer of Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Funmilayo Kupoliyi
Funmilayo Kupoliyi of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) is an entrepreneur and graduate of Business Administration from Ogun State Polytechnic, (MAPOLY) Abeokuta.
Roseline Adeyemi
Roseline Adeyemi is a businesswoman who holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Imo State University and Masters in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from Lagos State University. She is one of the two female candidates vying for the governorship seat in Lagos. Ms Adeyemi is of the All Peoples Party (APP).
Patricia Tsakpa
In Nasarawa State, Action Democratic Party (ADP) is being represented by Patricia Tsakpa, who holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Jos and a Masters degree in Administration and Planning from the National Open University of Nigeria.
Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya
Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya is an award winning innovator, a serial social entrepreneur, lawyer, author, publisher, and mentor.
With an LLB from the University of Abuja and Masters in Law & Diplomacy from the University of Jos, she will hope to dislodge the men in the race using the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Niger state.
Aduragbemi Euba
Aduragbemi Euba, an entrepreneur and fashion designer, is the candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Oyo State. Ms Euba is a graduate of International Relations from Lead City University, Ibadan. She also holds a diploma in Public Relations from Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University; and Diploma in Styling and Fashion from London College of Fashion.
Beatrice Itubo
Beatrice Itubo is the Labour Party (LP) candidate for Rivers State. She is the Chairperson of Rivers State Council of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), former Chairperson of the Medical and Health Worker Union of Nigeria, Rivers State branch, former Treasurer of the Nigeria Labour Congress in River State and pioneer Board Member of the Primary Healthcare Management Board.
Hadiza Usman
Hadiza Usman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) will be flying the women flag In Zamfara.
