Peter Obi Speaks on Women’s Right as Natasha Faces Hostility in Power

Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, has emphasized the crucial role of women’s rights, equality, and empowerment in advancing Nigeria’s development. In a statement marking International Women’s Day, Obi urged the government to ensure a minimum of 25% representation for women in governance and to make aggressive investments in girl-child education.

Obi lamented that despite their resilience, many women in Nigeria remain trapped in cycles of poverty, with limited access to basic healthcare, education, and other essential services. He also pointed out the significant educational and security challenges faced by women, noting that girls constitute the majority of Nigeria’s out-of-school children and are disproportionately affected by violence, abductions, and other forms of insecurity.

The former Anambra State governor criticized the underrepresentation of women in leadership, describing Nigeria’s political system as a “brutal reality for women” that resists their inclusion and actively pushes them out. Obi cited Senators Ireti Kingibe and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as examples of women who, despite their electoral victories, continue to face discrimination and hostility in public spaces

To address these issues, Obi called for immediate action, urging the government to implement policies guaranteeing at least 25% representation for women in decision-making bodies across all arms of government. He also stressed the need for substantial investment in girl-child education, particularly in disadvantaged regions, to break the cycle of inequality and underdevelopment.

Obi concluded that women are the backbone of society, and Nigeria’s progress depends on ensuring they have equal opportunities to shape the country’s future.