Special Report: Women’s Participation in Grassroots Politics – A Path to Greater Inclusion by Temilade Aloko.
Women’s involvement in grassroots politics is often heralded as the foundation for any political party’s growth. Yet, in Nigeria, the question remains: why do women rarely hold substantial positions in governance despite their active participation at the grassroots level?
This issue came to the fore following the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government financial autonomy, which prompted state governments to rush into organizing local government elections. During this electioneering process, both men and women actively contested chairmanship positions across Nigeria’s local government areas. However, the results revealed a familiar pattern – only a few women emerged victorious. Despite this, the local government tier remains the level with the highest female representation compared to state and federal executive positions such as governor or president.
Voices from the Grassroots: Ilubinrin’s Discussion
This topic formed the basis of the discussion on “Ilubinrin”, a women-centered program on Splash FM 105.5, anchored by Temilade Aloko. The guest for the day was Oyebukola Oyedapo-Akinpelu, a grassroots politician and a recent chairmanship contestant for Oluyole Local Government under the Labour Party. Sharing her experiences from the 2024 local government elections in Oyo State, Mrs. Akinpelu shed light on the challenges women face in politics and the broader implications for governance.
Challenges in the Political Arena
Mrs. Akinpelu highlighted the struggles women face, such as being used as “ladders” for men to climb to leadership positions. She noted that although women often outnumber men at grassroots political meetings, they remain grossly underrepresented in decision-making roles.
Reflecting on her personal journey, she revealed the lack of solidarity among women across party lines. She recounted her experience reaching out to a female representative in her local government for support during her campaign, only to be met with silence. Marriage and financial independence were also cited as significant barriers to women’s political participation.
A Call for Change
Despite the challenges, Mrs. Akinpelu passionately advocated for women to embrace grassroots politics, emphasizing their unique “motherly gift” that equips them to address community needs effectively. She also urged political parties to adhere to their constitutions on gender balance, ensuring more opportunities for women to step into leadership roles.
When asked why she chose the Labour Party over more established political platforms, she explained that, unlike the two dominant parties she had previously been involved with, the Labour Party provided a more accommodating environment for her aspirations.
Encouraging Women to Lead
Mrs. Akinpelu concluded with a rallying call for women to support one another, regardless of political affiliations, and to recognize their potential as effective leaders. Local government, being the closest tier of governance to the people, offers an opportunity for women to make tangible impacts in their communities.
For those who missed the conversation, you can watch the full interview on Ilubinrin, which airs every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Splash FM 105.5.
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click the link to watch the full interview.
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