A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and Convener of the Women in Politics Sensitisation Initiative, Farmer Omolara Kafilat Svensson Busari, has decried the persistent under-representation of women in the state’s political leadership, describing it as “heartbreaking” and “depressing.”
Busari, who spoke at the fourth edition of the Women in Politics Sensitisation Programme held in Old Bodija, Ibadan, at the weekend, lamented that Oyo remains the only South-West state that has never produced a female deputy governor since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
The event, themed: “Understanding Our Role in Active Politics,” targeted elite women with the aim of encouraging political participation, fostering gender balance, and nurturing future female leaders in governance.
According to Busari, who hails from Egbeda Local Government Area, the political history of Oyo State reflects a glaring gender imbalance. “Since 1999, Oyo has produced just one female senator, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, and currently has only one female member in the House of Representatives, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe of Oluyole Federal Constituency,” she said.
She noted that while previous editions of the sensitisation programme focused on grassroots women, this edition deliberately targeted elite women. “We’ve had strong participation at the grassroots, but we discovered a major gap in political involvement among elite women. This engagement is to inspire them to take a more active role,” she explained.
Busari called on women across Oyo State to get involved in party politics, attend ward and local government meetings, and be part of the decision-making processes that shape governance. She argued that the low participation of women in politics is one of the reasons why women’s issues remain underrepresented on policy agendas.
“Politics is not dirty by default; it’s the people in it that make it what it is. Women must stop shying away from politics and instead be bold enough to shape the system from within,” she added.
Busari called on women across Oyo State to get involved in party politics, attend ward and local government meetings, and be part of the decision-making processes that shape governance. She argued that the low participation of women in politics is one of the reasons why women’s issues remain underrepresented on policy agendas.
“Politics is not dirty by default; it’s the people in it that make it what it is. Women must stop shying away from politics and instead be bold enough to shape the system from within,” she added.
She also expressed optimism that the proposed Reserved Seats for Women Bill in the National Assembly, if passed, would significantly improve female political representation in Nigeria.
Other speakers at the event echoed her sentiments.
Dr Kayode Ojooko, a public servant, lauded the initiative and called for more deliberate action by women to claim leadership roles.
“We’ve seen the likes of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Amina Mohammed excel globally. The potential is there. It’s time women here step forward and act,” he said.
Also speaking, Temitope Olawoyin, a female aspirant for the Egbeda State Constituency seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly, said women already manage homes and businesses successfully and can bring those same skills to governance. “If we want change, we must become part of the process,” she said.
A marriage counsellor and author, Mrs Mercy Balogun, shared how the programme reshaped her perception of politics. “I used to avoid politics, thinking it was a man’s game. But now I see it differently. Nigeria needs women at the table,” she said.
Similarly, Dr Olatoye Akuko, CEO of JIT Empirical Global Consult, Ibadan, admitted that the sensitisation event had inspired her to consider political participation. “Women are natural leaders and planners. It’s time we applied those skills to nation-building,” she noted.
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