The Independent National Electoral Commission released the final list of candidates for the Edo State House of Assembly election, featuring 164 aspirants. An analysis of the list shows that 148 candidates, or 90.24%, are men, while 16, or 9.76%, are women. This translates to a male-to-female ratio of approximately 9:1, underscoring the limited presence of women in the legislative contest.
The disparity raises questions about women's access to elective office and the commitment of political parties to inclusive representation. Several female candidates are contesting in various constituencies, including Memo Akerele of the Social Democratic Party in Akoko Edo I and Elizabeth Dauda of the Labour Party in Akoko Edo II. Other female candidates include Negbedion Shirley, Maria Edeko, Mercy Bello, and Salamatu Izuagie, among others.
Despite individual female candidacies, the figures indicate that women remain a small minority in the race. If the imbalance is reflected in the election results, it may limit their representation in the next Assembly. The candidate list features aspirants from different age groups, ranging from young contenders to candidates in their sixties.
The youngest candidate on the list is Idriss Idriss of the Social Democratic Party, contesting in Etsako West Constituency 11 at 26 years old. Other young aspirants include Johnson Ipeshi, Odia Godwin, and Edobor Patience, all aged 28 or 29. Their participation reflects the interest of younger Nigerians in elective politics.
At the other end of the age spectrum, older candidates are also seeking legislative seats. Nosakhare Igbinedion of the Action Peoples Party, contesting in Orhionmwon Constituency 11, is 66, while Omorogbe Helen of the APP, Orhionmwon Constituency 1, is 65. The candidate list features a broad range of political parties, including the APC and the PDP.
The range of parties reflects participation beyond Nigeria's two dominant political platforms. On educational background, the candidates' qualifications range from basic school-leaving certificates to university degrees and postgraduate qualifications. The list includes various academic credentials, such as BSc, BEd, BEng, HND, LLB, MSc, and MBA qualifications.
One notable aspect of the candidate list is that no Persons with Disabilities (PWD) are recorded as contesting in the state Assembly election. The educational qualifications of candidates vary widely, with Oyairo John Nosakhare listed under the SDP in Orhionmwon constituency, holding a PhD.
Key points
- Men account for 90.24% of candidates, while women make up 9.76%.
- The youngest candidate is 26-year-old Idriss Idriss of the SDP.
- No Persons with Disabilities are contesting in the state Assembly election.
