According to reports from Vanguard on Saturday, June 13, 2026, With the completion of party primaries ahead of the 2027 general election, three women have officially secured presidential tickets across different political parties, positioning themselves to challenge incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the race scheduled for January 16, 2027.
A total of 14 political parties are presenting presidential candidates this cycle, with women accounting for 21.43 percent of the flagbearers. This figure represents the highest level of female representation ever recorded in Nigeria’s presidential election history.
The three female candidates include 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).
Following her emergence as her party’s consensus candidate, Dr. Okereke expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening economic situation. She noted that despite the country’s vast natural and human resources, many citizens continue to struggle with poverty, insecurity, and unemployment. She also criticized what she described as leadership driven by personal and political interests rather than public service, insisting that Nigeria is suffering from deep-rooted governance failures.
Mrs. Zugwai-Chukwu, on her part, promised Nigerians a leadership style built on transparency, credibility, and accountability. She stated that the nation is in need of leaders who prioritize the welfare of citizens over personal ambition, adding that her campaign would focus on restoring trust in governance and strengthening democratic institutions.
Ada Fredrick emphasized the importance of compassionate and empathetic leadership in addressing Nigeria’s challenges. She argued that women bring a unique perspective to leadership and should be given greater opportunities at the highest levels of governance. According to her, the country needs voices that are both bold and people-oriented to drive meaningful change.
Historically, female candidates have struggled to make significant electoral impact in Nigeria, although record participation was seen in 2003 when Sarah Jubril garnered over 150,000 votes. The current trio is expected to test new political ground as they enter a highly competitive race that includes prominent male contenders such as President Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and other established political figures.
As the campaign season draws closer, attention is expected to intensify around how these candidates position themselves in a traditionally male-dominated presidential contest.