Woman Challenges Nigeria’s Male Leadership
The presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement, Esther Okereke, has called on Nigerians to give a woman the opportunity to lead the country, arguing that decades of male-dominated leadership have failed to deliver the desired results.
Okereke says Nigerians should assess her candidacy based on her policy proposals, leadership framework and plans to address the country’s challenges, rather than focusing solely on her gender.
She makes the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on a Television programme, where she discusses her ambition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The NRM candidate says she has encountered Nigerians who question whether a woman can successfully lead Africa’s most populous country.
In response, she challenges them to reconsider the record of previous male leaders and give her an opportunity to present an alternative.
“Do you think a man who has failed for over 20 years should continue? If you don’t think so, then give this woman a chance,” she says.
Mediaplusng.com reports that Nigeria has never elected a woman as president, making the 2027 presidential election another major test for female representation in the country’s highest political office.
According to the report, only two women are among the 18 presidential candidates cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the election.
They are Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement and Ada Okwori of the National Democratic Party.
They face competition from candidates including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Despite the attention surrounding her gender, Okereke insists that her campaign is not about gender politics but accountability and a practical framework for national development.
She says her ambition is driven by what she describes as a blueprint to rescue Nigeria and improve the lives of its citizens.
ELECTRICITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Identifying electricity as one of her immediate priorities, Okereke says unreliable power supply continues to undermine businesses, technological development and economic activities across the country.
She argues that small and medium-sized enterprises suffer significant setbacks when electricity fails, forcing business owners to depend on generators and other expensive alternatives.
According to her, a reliable electricity supply is essential for businesses to expand, adopt modern technologies and compete effectively in the economy.
She maintains that Nigeria must address its power challenges to unlock economic opportunities and support sustainable growth.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
The presidential candidate also criticises the practice of repairing roads shortly before political leaders visit communities.
She argues that infrastructure maintenance should be a regular responsibility of government rather than a temporary exercise designed to impress visiting officials.
Okereke says public officeholders must understand that their primary responsibility is to serve the people and ensure that public resources deliver tangible benefits.
“If you have decided to go into public office, just have it at the back of your mind that you’re a servant. You’re here to serve the people, and that’s how it should be,” she says.
Her position places accountability and service delivery at the centre of her proposed approach to governance.
GRASSROOTS PARTNERSHIP AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Okereke says her campaign is built around grassroots participation, insisting that citizens should be treated as partners in governance rather than people whose support is needed only during elections.
She argues that elected leaders must remain accessible to the communities that vote them into office, provide regular updates and answer questions about their performance.
“You don’t just need the grassroots for votes. You need them for partnership,” she says.
The NRM candidate identifies housing and healthcare, particularly services for people at the grassroots, as important areas her proposed governance framework would prioritise.
She maintains that citizens must have a continuing role in shaping policies and monitoring government performance after elections.
INSECURITY AND INVESTMENT
On security, Okereke says persistent insecurity discourages Nigerians living abroad from returning home to invest and participate in national development.
She explains that some members of the Nigerian diaspora are interested in returning as business partners and investors but require a safer environment to operate.
She believes addressing insecurity would help restore confidence, encourage investment and create opportunities for economic growth.
“I have lots of friends that want to come back home to invest, not as charity, but as partners, for us to build Nigeria,” she says.
She adds that tackling insecurity would encourage more Nigerians abroad to return home peacefully.
As preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum, Okereke is asking voters to look beyond gender and examine the policy proposals, accountability commitments and development plans presented by candidates.
Whether her message gains wider acceptance will depend on voters’ assessment of her proposed solutions and their expectations for Nigeria’s future.
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