Triple Threat for 2027 Presidential Election: Okereke, Zugwai-Chukwu, and Fredrick Share Their Vision to Take Over from Tinubu

With the conclusion of primaries by political parties, three women have emerged as presidential candidates ready to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for Nigeria’s topmost job, marking a significant development in the country's political landscape.

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Although 18 presidential flag bearers are on the prowl, only 14 will remain when the chips are down because 14 political parties are involved of which three have factional candidates, indicating a complex electoral process ahead.

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With three female candidates in 2027, which is 21.43 percent of 14 candidates, women are having their best outing in the history of presidential polls in Nigeria, surpassing previous records and raising hopes for greater representation.

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Although there were six female candidates in 2019, it amounted to 8.22 percent of the 73 standard bearers, highlighting the progress made by women in Nigerian politics, despite the challenges they face.

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The three women contesting the January 16, 2027 presidential election are Dr Esther Nkem Okereke of the National Rescue Movement, NRM; Mrs Anita Zugwai-Chukwu of the Young Progressives Party, YPP; and Ada Fredrick of the National Democratic Party, NDP, each with their unique vision for the country's future.

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Women were not on the radar in 1999, when only two candidates, General Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic, PDP, and Chief Olu Falae of the Alliance for Democracy, AD/All Peoples Party, APP, slugged it out with Obasanjo emerging the winner, marking a significant moment in Nigeria's electoral history.

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However, women were on the ballot in 2003, which so far remains their best attempt at occupying Aso Villa, with two women, Mrs Sarah Jubril of the Progressive Action Congress, PAC, and Major Mojisola Adekunle Obasanjo, retd, of the Masses Movement of Nigeria, MMN, contesting the election.

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While Major Obasanjo polled 3,757 votes at that election, Mrs Jubril scored 157,560 votes, the highest any woman has ever got in a presidential election in the country, setting a benchmark for future generations of women politicians.

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Ever since, the fortunes of women have been dwindling at the presidential polls, with only one woman, Major Obasanjo, contesting in 2007 and garnering a miserly 4,309 votes, highlighting the challenges faced by women in Nigerian politics.

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In 2011, with 63 political parties in which 20 parties fielded candidates, there was also only one woman, Ebiti Ndok of the United National Party for Development, UNPD, who polled 21,203 votes, underscoring the need for greater representation of women in politics.

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Mrs. Sarah Jubril’s efforts to be on the ballot did not yield a dividend, as she got only one vote at the PDP presidential primary, highlighting the difficulties faced by women in navigating the complexities of party politics.

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In 2015, the poor run of women continued, with Mrs. Oluremi Sonaiya, being the only female in a crowd of 14 presidential standard bearers, and she got 13,076 votes, underscoring the need for greater support for women in politics.

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In 2019, in a crowd of 73 presidential candidates, there were six women, the highest so far in the history of electioneering in Nigeria, but they fared badly, polling altogether 25,594 votes in a contest that President Buhari scored 15,191,847 of the total votes cast.

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The women who took part in the 2019 election were Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, Angela Johnson, Olufunmilayo Adesanya-Davies, Eunice Atuejide, Rabia Yasai Hassan Cengiz, and Maina Maimuna Kyari, each contributing to the growing presence of women in Nigerian politics.

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In 2023, there was only one woman among 18 candidates, Princess Chichi Ojei of the Allied Peoples Movement, who polled 10,613 votes, highlighting the ongoing struggle for greater representation of women in politics.

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Speaking on their ambition after picking the tickets of their various parties, Okereke, Zugwai-Chukwu, and Frederick said they have the quality to make a difference if elected, expressing their commitment to bringing about positive change in the country.

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Dr Esther Nkem Okereke, who emerged through consensus at the NRM national convention held in Abuja, described her nomination as a sacred assignment and a call to service, promising to restore hope and rebuild the country, if elected, and tackle the economic hardship, insecurity, and poverty facing the nation.

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She lamented the economic hardship in the country, saying millions were trapped in poverty, insecurity, and economic uncertainty despite the nation’s vast resources, and pledged to work towards building a nation where electricity is stable, businesses thrive, and citizens live with dignity.

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Okereke criticised what she described as politics driven by the struggle for power rather than service to the people, adding that governance should be transformational and not transactional, and urged Nigerians to unite and work towards ending the era of broken promises.

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Mrs Anita Zugwai-Chukwu, who emerged as the YPP standard-bearer, said she would provide a credible alternative, acknowledging the challenges confronting the nation and saying Nigerians were yearning for transparent, people-centred, and progressive leadership.

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Zugwai-Chukwu expressed gratitude to party members and supporters across the country, describing the period ahead as a defining moment for both the party and Nigeria, and pledged to uphold the party’s ideals and work towards its growth and national expansion.

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Ada Fredrick described her emergence as NDP candidate as a huge responsibility, noting that the nation urgently required the empathetic leadership that women could provide, and pledged to do her best to make sure Nigerians receive the light of hope and fulfill all the promises in the party's manifesto.

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Frederick further stated that the party would soon unveil its full manifesto to the public, which would clearly demonstrate why the NDP remained the best political option for the country, and called on Nigerian women and the youth to join hands with her to make Nigeria a better place for all.

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Apart from Tinubu, the women will face other men, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, Omoyele Sowore, Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, Aliyu Bin Abass, and Kenndy Ahanotu, in the presidential election, marking a highly competitive and contested race.