The President of the Women Arise for Change Initiative, Joe Okei-Odumakin, has urged candidates in the 2027 Lagos governorship election to commit to allocating between 35 and 50 per cent of political appointments to women.
Okei-Odumakin made the call in an interview on Sunday, urging the next governor to address economic hardship, insecurity, poor public services and the needs of women and young people.
She called for measurable commitments on women’s rights, equal economic opportunities, affordable housing, safe public transport, quality education and improved healthcare.
The rights advocate also proposed a women and youth enterprise fund offering single-digit interest loans, alongside support for market women, artisans and young entrepreneurs. She urged the next administration to implement laws protecting survivors of domestic and sexual violence and provide functional shelters and economic assistance.
Okei-Odumakin said infrastructure development should be matched with affordable services, humane taxation, job creation and practical solutions to flooding and waste management.
She urged governorship candidates to adopt issue-based campaigns, reject thuggery, ballot snatching and voter intimidation, and sign a peace accord. She also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure electoral transparency and encouraged eligible voters to participate in the elections.
