IWD 2025, A Black Day for Nigerian Women-NILOWV

The League of Women Voters of Nigeria has declared the International Women’s Day 2025 a black day for the Nigerian women. This was made known in a press statement signed by the president of NILWV Hon. Irene Awunah-Ikyegh. According to her, Nigeria as a whole is mourning late Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, a two-term lawmaker and chief Whip in the House of Representatives. She was the only female Principal Officer among the 19 men in both Chambers. Upon her death, the position was replaced by a man, making the entire leadership of the National Assembly male dominated. This is a devastating blow to our fight for gender equality and representation.

According to the statement, the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan is another tragic reminder of the systemic barriers women face in Nigeria’s political landscape. Despite a court injunction restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions from suspending her, a 105-member male-dominated Senate out of 109 refused her fair hearing and suspended her for six months. This is unacceptable and demands a sober reflection.

The rest of the statement reads in full below:

We call on Nigerian male leaders to recognize that women can no longer be silenced or marginalized. We will no longer listen to empty promises or words; our eyes are on your actions. The time for change is now, and we demand justice, equality, and fairness for all Nigerian women.

The 74 Special Seats in Parliament Bill for constitutional reform in the National Assembly is a golden opportunity for change. We urge the Senate President to champion and fast-track this bill, ensuring its passage in the shortest possible time. This is not just a matter of women’s rights; it’s a matter of creating a more inclusive and better Nigeria.

We also call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to publicly support and endorse the 74 Special Seats in Parliament Bill. This will demonstrate his commitment to transforming our democracy and being a supportive change agent. We congratulate NILOWV members on the launch of WARD 2 WARD, a initiative to increase women’s representation in parliament across the 36 states. We encourage them to take this initiative seriously, as a more inclusive and better Nigeria depends on it.

Today, we stand in solidarity with Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan and all Nigerian women who have been marginalized, excluded, and oppressed. We will continue to fight for their rights, justice, and equality. We will not be silenced, we will not be deterred, and we will not give up.

As we mark International Women’s Day, we remember the struggles of women past and present. We honor their courage, resilience, and determination. We recognize the progress made, but we also acknowledge the long way we still have to go.

We demand a Nigeria where women have equal representation, equal opportunities, and equal rights. We demand a Nigeria where women are valued, respected, and empowered. We demand a Nigeria where women can thrive and reach their full potential.

To achieve this, we need a change of strategy. We need to come together, unite our efforts, and demand action from our leaders. We need to hold them accountable for their promises and ensure that they deliver on their commitments.

The time for change is now. We will not wait, we will not hesitate, and we will not be deterred. We will fight for our rights, we will fight for justice, and we will fight for equality. We will make our voices heard, we will make our presence felt, and we will make a difference.

In conclusion, as we mark International Women’s Day, we declare 2025 a year of action, a year of change, and a year of progress. We will work tirelessly to ensure that Nigerian women are empowered, represented, and valued. We will not rest until we achieve a more inclusive and better Nigeria for all.
Long live the league of Women Voters of Nigeria NILOWV
Long live Nigerian resilient women
Long live the federal Republic of Nigeria

Irene Awunah-ikyegh President league of Women Voters of Nigeria NILOWV