WOMANIFESTO condemns rising violence against Women during party primaries 

By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi

Cap: WOMANIFESTO condemns rising violence against Women during party primaries

Womanifesto, a group of over 250 organizations across Nigeria, has strongly condemned the growing wave of violence, intimidation, harassment and attacks against women participating in political processes across Nigeria.

According to the organization, the violent assault involving Senator Ireti Kingibe, a female aspirant, and officials of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja, is deeply disturbing and unacceptable,lamenting that, “Sadly, this is not an isolated incident.”

The organization further observed that over the past week alone, disturbing reports have continued to emerge from different parts of the country, showing women being attacked, threatened, brutalised and forcefully prevented from participating in party primary elections.

It stated that in Borno State, videos and reports from the APC primaries in the Bama/Ngala/Kala Balge Federal Constituency allegedly showed women being kicked, assaulted and violently driven out of polling stations.

“We have also received troubling reports that Hon. Dr. Zainab Gimba was allegedly attacked by thugs during the primaries,” it claimex.

It stressed that, “Even more concerning are allegations that security agencies present at some of these incidents failed to intervene or protect the women under attack.”

“Reports suggesting compromise or complicity by security personnel raise serious questions about the safety of women in Nigeria’s political environment and the willingness of institutions to uphold justice and democratic participation,” the organization added.

According to Womanifesto,”These incidents reflect the harsh reality many Nigerian women face simply for daring to participate in leadership, governance and public service. Across political parties and regions, women continue to face threats, intimidation, physical violence, humiliation and systemic exclusion in spaces where they should be protected and respected.”

The organization stated that,”Women in politics should not have to risk their safety, dignity or lives in order to serve their communities and country.”

It stressed that, “Violence against women in politics is violence against democracy itself.”

Womanifesto warned against the dangerous normalisation of political thuggery and gender-based violence within Nigeria’s electoral and party systems.

It emphasized that, “A democratic process cannot be credible when women are beaten, silenced or driven away through fear and violence.c

It therefore called for: Immediate, transparent and independent investigations into all reported cases of violence against women during the ongoing party primaries, Swift arrest and prosecution of all individuals responsible for sponsoring or carrying out these attacks and the Accountability for any security personnel found to have neglected their duty or compromised the safety of citizens.”

It also called for a stronger protection measures for women participating in political activities and elections as well as Clear commitments by political parties to zero tolerance for violence, intimidation and harassment against women.

Womanifesto added that Nigeria’s political space cannot continue to operate like a battlefield where violence and impunity are used to silence women’s voices and exclude them from leadership.

The organization concluded that, “Womanifesto stands in solidarity with every woman who has experienced violence, intimidation or discrimination in the political process. We reaffirm that women have the constitutional right to participate in politics freely, safely and without fear, as contained in a statement signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Convener, Womanifesto Nigeria “