RismadarVoice Reporters
November 3, 2026
The Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and the First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun, have called for greater representation of women in political appointments and leadership positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They made the call on Tuesday at the Ogun State Political Women Stakeholders’ Forum, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta.
The forum, organised by the First Lady, brought together women involved in political activities across the state.
Speaking at the event, Salako-Oyedele said women had contributed significantly to the growth and electoral activities of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but were not adequately represented in government appointments.
She argued that women’s contributions at ward, local government and state levels should translate into meaningful opportunities to participate in governance.
The deputy governor emphasised that the demand for increased representation was not intended to create competition between men and women but to promote fairness and inclusion.
She commended Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration for its women-focused empowerment initiatives and appointments, urging the incoming government to sustain and expand such programmes.
Salako-Oyedele also expressed support for the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, and his running mate, Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun.
Beyond political appointments, she encouraged women to advocate solutions to community challenges, including unemployment, deteriorating roads, inadequate market facilities and educational needs.
She urged female political stakeholders to communicate residents’ concerns to elected officials and ensure that community priorities receive government attention.
In her remarks, the First Lady called for increased participation by women in political decision-making and grassroots mobilisation.
Speaking on the theme, Stronger Together: Women Unite for Victory, One Woman, Ten Votes, Abiodun encouraged participants to use their political networks to support the APC ahead of the elections.
She challenged each participant to mobilise at least 10 voters, describing the initiative as part of the party’s grassroots campaign strategy.
The First Lady maintained that women’s numerical strength and involvement in community affairs could translate into greater political influence when supported by organised participation.
The forum highlighted the continuing debate over women’s representation in Nigerian politics, particularly the need to move beyond campaign participation towards greater involvement in appointments, policymaking and public administration.
Both officials called for stronger collaboration among women and greater recognition of their contributions to governance.
