The national chairman of Labour Party in Nigeria, Sen. Nenadi Usman, has challenged the Nigerian political elite to move beyond rhetoric and dismantle the systemic barriers hindering women’s ascent to political power.

A statement by the Communications Officer of Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Wealth Dickson Ominabo, noted that Usman spoke at the high-level Democracy Dialogue organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) in Abuja to mark 2026 International Women’s Day.

He quoted Sen. Usman as having called for an end to the “big money” politics that disenfranchises female aspirants.

“I don’t see the reason why you must spend so much to seek an elective position. It is not right,” she stated.

According to her, as a leader in the Labour Party, she has taken it upon myself to make it easier for women to contest so that women can advocate for changes as insiders.

Sen. Usman further advocated for strategic cross-party collaboration among women to ensure they have more representation.

“We need to get to the point where women contesting a single seat can step down for one another to ensure victory. Otherwise, our voices will never be heard.”

Keynote speaker Ms. Ene Obi, former Country Director of Action Aid Nigeria, while noting that excluding women who constitute half of the population is “like running a race with one leg tied”, added that issues such as patriarchy, expensive campaigns, and political violence are deep-rooted barriers against women.

“In Nigeria, where challenges like insecurity, poverty, and inequality hit women hardest, excluding half the population from power is like running a race with one leg tied.

“Patriarchy runs strong in our culture, politics, and even party structures. Women face financial barriers because campaigns are expensive, and funding often flows to men. Political violence, harassment, and godfatherism intimidate many from stepping up. Religion and tradition sometimes get weaponized to justify exclusion,” she said.

Ms. Obi noted that most political parties pay lip service to gender inclusion but nominate few women or place them in unwinnable positions.

“True democracy thrives only when every voice counts, including the voices of persons with disabilities. From voice to power is not a dream; it is a necessity for our nation’s future.”

Earlier, Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ms. Ann Iyonu, explained that the dialogue aimed to shift the conversation from a “talk shop” to meaningful political influence.

“We need to move beyond placing women in positions where they must constantly struggle. It is time to enact laws that dismantle the structural and systemic barriers limiting women’s participation in governance,” Iyonu said.

The dialogue, themed “Democracy and the Voice of Women: From Voice to Power,” brought together the political class, civil society, and the diplomatic community to interrogate the hurdles preventing women from transitioning from political mobilizers to institutional power brokers. (The Sun)