As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, that imbalance is no longer a marginal concern raised only by gender advocates and civil society groups. It has crystallised into a defining political question for the state: should Ebonyi continue to present an all-male face at the highest legislative level, or is it prepared to align its representation with the social, economic and demographic realities of its population?
Across Abakaliki, Afikpo, Onicha, Ikwo and the rural farming communities that form the state’s spine, the consensus among many stakeholders is clear. The status quo is no longer defensible.
The argument often made in political circles that Ebonyi has “always” been represented at the National Assembly by men is historically inaccurate. In the early years of the state, women broke through formidable barriers to secure elective offices and redefined political possibilities.
During the era of the state’s first civilian governor, Dr Sam Egwu, and later under Chief Martins Elechi, women featured more visibly in elective politics. Chief Mrs Patience Ogodo and Barrister Elizabeth Ogbaga emerged as members of the House of Representatives at different times, a development that challenged entrenched patriarchal assumptions and demonstrated that Ebonyi women could win elections and perform legislative duties effectively.
Those victories were not symbolic. They signalled that political inclusion was achievable. Yet, that early momentum was neither consolidated nor institutionalised. Over time, Ebonyi’s representation at the federal legislature regressed into what political observers now described, sometimes derisively, as an “Ebonyi NASS men’s squad,” a perception that has hardened into tradition.
Today, apart from the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, where two women has at different times held legislative office, no other National Assembly seat from the state has been occupied by a female representative in recent electoral cycles. This reality sits uneasily beside the lived experiences of Ebonyi women and their contributions to the state’s economy and political process.
Ebonyi women are far from politically irrelevant. In fact, they are central to the state’s survival and development. Estimates place women at over 70 per cent of the agricultural workforce, making them the backbone of food production and rural livelihoods. They dominate local markets, sustain households, and play decisive roles in community mobilisation, particularly during elections.
Politicians across party lines privately acknowledge that women form the bulk of campaign foot soldiers, rally organisers and grassroots mobilizers. Yet, when it comes to allocating power at the highest legislative level, their influence stops abruptly at the gates of the National Assembly.
This paradox where women are indispensable to the political process but excluded from its highest rewards has persisted due to a convergence of factors: entrenched patriarchy, elite manipulation, prohibitive campaign costs, and structural barriers within party politics.
The period leading to the exit of former Governor David Nweze Umahi, now Minister of Works, is frequently cited as emblematic of these challenges. Despite public assurances and behind-the-scenes negotiations, attempts to position women for National Assembly tickets repeatedly collapsed.
Female aspirants recounted experiences of being pressured to step down for male contenders, often with promises of “juicy” appointive positions that never materialized. Others pointed to the dominance of male power blocs within party structures, monetisation of party tickets, and political violence that discouraged participation. Several disputes degenerated into prolonged litigation, reinforcing the perception that federal legislative seats were a male preserve.
The emergence of Governor Francis Nwifuru marked a subtle but significant shift in Ebonyi’s political atmosphere. From the outset, his administration projected openness to gender inclusion, aligning itself with the nationally recommended 35 per cent affirmative action benchmark.
According to the Ebonyi Women Inclusion (EBOWIN) Movement, women currently occupy over 50 per cent of key leadership and decision-making positions in the state. This places Ebonyi among the most gender-responsive states in Nigeria, at least in terms of appointive offices.
Women in Ebonyi now serve as deputy governor, Secretary to the State Government, commissioners, board members, heads of agencies, and key officials at the local government level, including vice chairmen and secretaries.
At the EBOWIN Radio and Television Broadcasters Excellence Award ceremony held on Wednesday 4th February 2026 at the Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC) premises in Abakaliki, the organisation publicly commended Governor Nwifuru for surpassing the affirmative action benchmark.
Speaking at the event, EBOWIN’s Founder and National President, Dr Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu, described the administration as one that has translated gender inclusion from policy rhetoric into governance practice.
“This administration has exceeded the 35 per cent affirmative action benchmark. Women now occupy more than half of strategic positions, and they have justified the trust placed in them through competence and dedication,” she said.
Obichukwu, who also serves as the State Commissioner for Aviation and Digital Transport, emphasised that EBOWIN is not a political praise group but a principled civil society organisation registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and accredited by international bodies including the United Nations, UNFPA and UN Women.
“We support what is right. When a government performs well, we commend it; when it falls short, we speak out,” she noted.
While the gains recorded under the Nwifuru administration in appointive positions are widely acknowledged, they have also sharpened an unavoidable question: if women can successfully manage key executive and administrative roles, why are they still absent from Ebonyi’s National Assembly representation?
The traditional arguments no longer hold. Claims that women lack capacity are contradicted by their performance in government. Assertions of political disinterest are undermined by the increasing number of women participating actively in party activities and grassroots mobilisation. What remains is a political culture that treats elective positions especially at the federal level as male entitlements.
EBOWIN and similar advocacy groups had argued that progress in appointive offices must now be extended deliberately to electoral positions. Without that transition, they warned, gender inclusion risks remaining symbolic rather than transformative.
“The women appointed so far have shown prudence, transparency and effectiveness. The next step is to trust women with electoral mandates," Obichukwu said.
For Obichukwu, the campaign for inclusion is rooted not only in policy debates but in lived experience. She recounted encounters with rural women who lost their lives during childbirth due to poverty, lack of empowerment and limited access to healthcare.
In one instance, she recalled seeing a pregnant woman carrying firewood who went into labour by the roadside and delivered without medical assistance. In another, a woman being transported in a wheelbarrow died on the way to a hospital, her unborn child lost as well.
“These experiences strengthened my resolve. When you empower a woman, you empower her family, her children, and the entire society," she said.
Such stories underscored the link between political power and social outcomes. Advocates argued that when women are excluded from decision-making, policies often fail to reflect their realities particularly in health, education and social welfare.
The EBOWIN awards ceremony also highlighted the role of the media in shaping public discourse on inclusion. Broadcasters and journalists were described as “trumpet bearers of society,” with a responsibility to amplify marginalised voices and scrutinise exclusionary practices.
The Director-General of EBBC and chairman of the occasion, Comrade Tony Nwizi, noted that recognition motivates media professionals whose work often goes unnoticed.
“Behind every voice on air are many unseen hands,” he said, urging greater appreciation for broadcasters and journalists who labour under intense pressure to inform and educate the public.
Award recipients, including the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Ebonyi State, Chief Stephen Uchenna Igwe, echoed the call for inclusive narratives and grassroots-focused governance.
The 2027 general elections present Ebonyi State with a rare opportunity to redefine its political identity. Beyond party affiliations and zoning arrangements, the elections offer a chance to correct a long-standing imbalance and send a message about the kind of democracy the state seeks to practise.
Electing women into the National Assembly, advocates insisted, is not about charity or tokenism. It is about representation, diversity of perspectives and responsive governance. Comparative studies showed that women legislators are more likely to prioritise healthcare, education, social welfare and community security areas that directly affect the majority of Ebonyi’s population.
Increased female representation would also align Ebonyi with Nigeria’s commitments under international frameworks such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Achieving this shift will require more than executive goodwill. Political parties must lower structural barriers, reduce nomination costs and enforce internal quotas. Traditional rulers, religious institutions and opinion leaders must confront cultural norms that equate leadership with masculinity. Male political actors must also emerge as allies rather than gatekeepers.
As Ebonyi approaches 2027, the question is no longer whether women are ready for the National Assembly. The evidence suggests they are. The real question is whether the state’s political elite and its electorate are ready to abandon an outdated narrative and embrace a more inclusive future.
If Ebonyi truly believes in progress, then National Assembly seats must no longer remain a men’s preserve. The time to act is now.
