A professor of Public Health Parasitology at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, Prof. Dennis Aribodor has challenged Nigerian women to stop agonizing and start organizing by establishing structures in place to encourage and motivate competent ones among them to occupy elective positions.
Aribodor gave the advice at a one-day High-level stakeholders’ Dialogue on inclusive electoral process by the Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), a Non-governmental organization based in Anambra and members of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
The engagement concludes the implementation of project IMPACT – Inclusive Mobilization for Participation, Advocacy, and Civic Transformation being implemented in conjunction with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room with funding support from UK FCDO in Anambra and Imo States.
According to Aribodor, who is the Owerri Zonal Coordinator, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and former ASUU chairman, NAU, the ‘organizing’ should be holistic and all-inclusive and should commence with popular education among women on the alternative to the current retrogressive practices.
He said, “It also involves building their capacities and leveraging on their population to turn things around. They can leverage and partner with credible groups to actual their targets.
“It is good to put structures in place to encourage and motivate competent women to occupy elective positions.
“One way of doing this is to address, through legislation, the issue of exorbitant cost for obtaining the expression of interest form of political parties for all aspirants especially women and youth.
“The current practice is highly exclusive to criminal elements and can not give Nigerians the desired quality leadership for transformation.
“The cost of expression of interest form should be tied to the National Minimum Wage and possibly be graduated.
“Other structural and systemic barriers, impediments, hindrances and disabilities could also be addressed through such a legislation.”
Also speaking, a gender equality advocate and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ogugua Ikpeze, criticized the current political framework, describing it as exclusionary and skewed toward undesirable elements.
She suggested that the cost of nomination forms should be tied to the national minimum wage or scrapped entirely to ensure equal opportunities for all.
Prof. Uche Collins Nwogwugwu, Director of the Institute of Social Policy and Strategic Studies at NAU, stressed the importance of merit, noting that individuals who distinguish themselves are more likely to be considered for leadership roles, regardless of gender or background.
Earlier, SIDEC’s Executive Director, Ugochi Agalaba-Ehiahuruike, said Project IMPACT was designed to promote inclusiveness in governance by ensuring equal opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
She noted that the initiative had recorded encouraging outcomes, particularly during the November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State.
Other stakeholders at the event advocated for a more enabling political environment, including the introduction of quotas for women, legal support for the Special Seats Bill, reforms of existing laws, increased political participation, and greater visibility for marginalized groups.
Participants included Labour Party deputy governorship candidate in the 2025 election, Mrs. Ifeoma Okaro; Prof. Jaja Nwanegbo of the Institute for Peace, Security and Development Studies; the traditional ruler of Ideani, Igwe Steven Onyekwelu Ezeji; and the traditional Prime Minister of Ebenebe, Chief Joe Nwegwu, among others.
The dialogue featured panel discussions on inclusive electoral processes and progress under Project IMPACT, alongside the unveiling of the project’s baseline study report.
Awards were also presented, including one to the State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, represented by CSP Harrison Anekwe, in recognition of a peaceful 2025 governorship election in the state.
