Prominent Igbo women in Lagos State have thrown their weight behind the candidacy of Honourable Angela Yinka Akintunde for the House of Representatives, Oshodi–Isolo Federal Constituency II ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The women, under the aegis of Igbo Women Stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC), made their position known during a meeting in Lagos. They also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to uphold the 35 percent affirmative action policy for women’s participation in politics, as outlined in his Renewed Hope Agenda.
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Speaking at the gathering, the group’s coordinator and Legal Adviser to Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, Barrister Nkechi Akubuzor, noted that Akintunde is the first and only woman to contest the seat in the constituency and is currently facing nine male aspirants.
Akubuzor stressed that despite women’s consistent support for male candidates over the years, no woman has ever been elected to represent the constituency at the National Assembly. She described Akintunde’s candidacy as a bold step toward breaking the longstanding gender barrier.
“It is because of her courage that we have come out collectively to support her. The place of women is no longer confined to the kitchen. We appeal to Mr President to honour his commitment to women’s inclusion,” she said.
The group reiterated that women in Oshodi–Isolo have contributed significantly to the development of the area and deserve adequate representation. They also submitted an open appeal urging the President to ensure the implementation of the 35 percent affirmative action policy at all levels.
Akubuzor further argued that greater inclusion of women in politics could help reduce electoral violence and promote consensus-building, given their roles as family and community influencers.
Highlighting Akintunde’s background, she described the candidate as well-educated, experienced, and widely accepted across ethnic lines.
She added that her Yoruba and Edo heritage, alongside her strong community ties, positions her as a unifying figure.
Also speaking, the group’s Treasurer and Public Relations Officer of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief Mrs Stella Onyianta, called for an end to what she described as “tokenism” in women’s political participation.
“Women want to be genuinely included in governance, not just acknowledged in words. Nothing meaningful can happen in society without women,” she said, urging women to obtain their voter cards and actively participate in elections.
In her remarks, an elder of the group, Mama Grace Nnaji, declared that the time had come for a shift in political representation, calling on male aspirants to step aside in favour of Akintunde.
She warned that women in the constituency may mobilise under the slogan “No Woman, No Vote” if their demands for inclusion are ignored.
Other members, including Mrs Nnena Okafor, also expressed confidence in Akintunde’s capacity to deliver effective representation and promote gender balance in governance.
The meeting ended with solidarity songs and a renewed commitment by the group to mobilise support for Akintunde, describing her candidacy as a symbol of progress and inclusivity.
