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Women make up just 11.7 percent of the 77 candidates approved to run in the 2027 National Assembly elections in Edo State. Youth participation is even lower, at less than four percent.
An analysis of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) final list for the elections on 16 January 2027 shows that 68 men and nine women are in the race for federal legislative seats in the state.
The candidates for Senate and House of Representatives range in age from 33 to 75, with an average age of about 48.7 years.
In the Senate, there are 26 candidates: 21 men and 5 women. This gives women a 19.2 percent share of the seats in the important Red Chamber.
In the House of Representatives, there are 51 candidates, including 47 men and four women. This means women have only 7.8 percent representation.
The gap is bigger in the lower chamber, where female candidates make up less than 1 in 10 of the contestants.
Female Candidates and Their Parties
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among the five women running for Senate are Herberta Okonofua from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Evelyn Adudu from the Allied People’s Movement. Both are contesting in Edo Central District.
Also running are Maria Oisamoje from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Edo North, Osahenoma Ekhorutomwen from the Action Democratic Party (ADP), and Brigitte Epelle-Asemota from the NDC in Edo South.
In the House of Representatives race in Akoko-Edo, Abimbola Eragbe is from the Labour Party (LP) and Elizabeth Jemitola is from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Rabietu Momodu from the LP is also in the race in Etsako, while Omosede Igbinedion from the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) is seeking re-election in Ovia.
Adams Oshiomhole is the Oldest Candidate
NAN reports that the age breakdown shows there is little youth participation. Only three of the 77 candidates are aged between 18 and 35, as defined by Nigeria’s National Youth Policy.
They are 33-year-old Shedrach Udugbai from the ADC, who is contesting in Owan, and 36-year-olds Abdulhafiz Lawal from the African Action Congress (AAC) and Osahenoma Ekhorutomwen from the ADP.
Though Ekhorutomwen and Lawal are both 36 and outside the youth category, they are still among the youngest candidates.
The youngest candidate is 33-year-old Udugbai. The oldest is 75-year-old former governor Adams Oshiomhole from the APC, who is back in the race for the Edo North Senate seat.
Senate candidates have an average age of 52 years. House of Representatives candidates average 47 years. The age range for House candidates is from 33 to 71 years, with Segun Jegede from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) being the oldest.
The analysis also highlights a major gender imbalance in the main political parties.
The APC has only one female candidate among its 12 national assembly contestants. The PDP has one woman among its five candidates.
The NDC has the highest number of female candidates, with three running under its platform.
The data shows a lack of disability inclusion. There are no candidates listed under the Persons with Disabilities category in the final list.
These figures suggest that while the 2027 National Assembly election has a wide range of candidates, women, young people, and persons with disabilities are still not well represented.
NAN reports that the National Assembly election is set for 16 January 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections will take place on 6 February.
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