Today (Saturday) marks the end of a period of intense campaigning by various candidates vying for the governorship seat in Anambra, as voters head to the polls to elect a new governor who will lead the state for the next four years. As voters proceed to polling units to exercise their franchise, concerns remain about the future of women in state politics, given the age-old patterns of exclusion of women in Nigerian politics.

Statistics of the 2.8 million registered voters participating in the election, as published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, showed that 1,430,323 (51.03 per cent) are female, while 1,372,467 (48.97 per cent) are male, highlighting a larger percentage of female voters in the state.

However, this higher demographic of female voters does not translate into equal political representation, as only two female candidates, Chioma Ifemeludike of the African Action Congress and Ndidi Olieh of the National Rescue Movement, vie against 14 other male contestants for the top political office in the state.

No doubt, this reality is not new in the state. In the 2021 governorship election, only two female candidates contested out of the 18 aspirants who participated in the process. Currently, the Anambra House of Assembly has only two female representatives out of its 30 members.

At the local government level, men also often take up major roles, with insignificant political roles mostly reserved for women.

Anambra’s situation, of course, reflects the recurring patterns of women’s exclusion in Nigeria. All state governors in the country are men, with only 20 women in the National Assembly, four in the Senate, and 16 in the House of Representatives. Worse still, only about eight women occupy ministerial positions in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, the largest in Nigeria’s history.

Despite contributing a higher percentage of votes during elections, women have endured exclusion in terms of low representation in political and decision-making roles. This unfortunate reality is exacerbated by the government’s failure at all levels to implement the National Gender Policy, which advocates for 35 percent affirmative action for women in political appointments.

Meet the only female candidates in the Anambra governorship election.

Chioma Ifemeludike (AAC)

Ms Ifemeludike, 36, is a Nigerian actress and filmmaker better known as IfeDike. Born in Anambra and raised by her mother after her father passed away at a young age, the candidate emerged as the party’s flagbearer after serving as its state chairperson.

Ms Ifemeludike holds a degree in Political Science from the Anambra State University. Responding to criticism of her political inexperience, she pointed out that she had once been a student unionist with a passion for civil rights advocacy and transformative governance.

The candidate’s creative career spans over a decade, and started with the launch of her YouTube series, ‘Corpers Heaven’, which was inspired by her National Youth Service Corps experience. She is known for her indigenous storytelling, in addition to producing movies in the Igbo language.

With her campaigns rooted in education, security, fairness, and equity, Ms Ifemeludike promised to revolutionise governance in Anambra, projecting herself as an alternative to the current administration.

However, the candidate’s chances at the polls are constrained by AAC’s popularity in the state. The age-long exclusion of women from political offices is another reality the candidate contends with.

As the election takes off, all eyes are on Ms Ifemeludike, who relies on her populist appeal as an actress, grassroots political experience, and a passion to usher in a new era of transformational governance in Anambra.

Ndidi Olieh (NRM)

Ms Olieh, 42, is running with Ogbe Reginald. She is currently the state chairperson for her party.

According to INEC, Ms Olieh holds a first school-leaving certificate from the National Examination Council and a Bachelor’s degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

With her campaigns focusing on advancing Anambra, especially in the areas of security, education, and health, the candidate offers herself as an alternative to the current administration in the state.

While Ms Olieh contends with voters’ acceptance in the election, given her limited political experience and antecedents, her candidacy in the race adds to the growing number of women vying for leadership roles in Anambra, highlighting a shift in the state’s political dynamics.