By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

ABUJA — A female aspirant, Mrs. Ngozi Okafor, has declared her intention to contest the Ideato North Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), amid concerns over women and youth representation in Nigerian politics.

Okafor, an organisational psychologist, said her decision to join the race is driven by the need to expand participation in governance, particularly for underrepresented groups.

“When Nigeria passed the Not Too Young to Run Act, it came with a promise that the political space would begin to reflect its women and youth. Years later, the question is whether political parties are delivering on that promise,” she said.

Her declaration comes years after the enactment of the Not Too Young to Run Act and continued advocacy for gender inclusion in elective positions, with stakeholders noting that progress has been slow.

Highlighting her motivation, Okafor said, “My decision to run is anchored on the belief that governance must be inclusive and reflective of the people it serves.”

The aspirant, who has over three decades of experience in youth development and stakeholder engagement, pointed to her involvement in education support initiatives and youth-focused programmes as part of her background in public service.

She also referenced ongoing government interventions in education financing, small business support and energy reforms, while acknowledging prevailing economic challenges.

“Nigeria is on a recovery journey. It is challenging, but the outcome is worth fighting for,” she said.

Political analysts say her candidacy will test the APC’s commitment to increasing female participation in elective positions, particularly in constituencies where party structures have traditionally favoured male candidates.

As political activities gather momentum, developments in Ideato North are expected to reflect broader trends in the inclusion of women and young people in Nigeria’s electoral process.