NAWOJ, The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun State, Dr. Olaleke Mutiu Agboke, has emphasized the need for stronger advocacy to enhance women’s participation in politics and voter registration.
Join our WhatsApp community
He made this call on Wednesday during an advocacy visit by the Osun State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) to the INEC office in Osogbo.
Commending NAWOJ for championing the cause, Agboke acknowledged that the issues raised are of collective importance. He reiterated that INEC’s gender policy is designed to be inclusive, fostering collaboration and gender balance within the political arena.
Highlighting the low representation of women in politics, the REC urged Nigerian Association of Women Journaliststo step up its campaign efforts.
He said, “NAWOJ should start the campaign by increasing the tempo of engagement and bring the politicians to the table. I am encouraging the association to foster platforms where women are motivated to contest and participate actively in elections.
“Encourage women to come forward. Let them come even if they lose the election. We will continue to make women have a say and occupy positions of authority, but they must demonstrate capacity.”
On the issue of voter registration, the Osun INEC boss noted that many women lack Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, because they are not registered.
He reminded NAWOJ that INEC will commence its Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise on August 18, 2025 for online registration and on August 25 for in-person physical registration.
Agboke urged NAWOJ members to help pass the message to women across the state on the need to register, collect their PVCs, and turn out to vote, noting that participation is the first step towards influencing governance.
Earlier, the Osun NAWOJ chairperson, Abisola Ariwodola, commending INEC for its gender management policies, called for more priorities for women participation in politics, voter education and promotion of gender equality and inclusion
Ariwodola said, “NAWOJ has been at the forefront of campaigning for inclusion and fair representation of women in positions of authority at both federal and state levels through its activities and programmes.
The Osun NAWOJ chairperson also sought collaboration between INEC and NAWOJ to have a strengthened networking and partnership, strengthened institutional capacity and procedures, promote the civic right to life of women and the target beneficiaries via voters education and sensitization, and contribute to improved quality of life.
Join our WhatsApp community
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
