The Presidential Candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Esther Okereke, has declared that men have failed in ruling Nigeria, and urged the citizens to give a woman a chance to lead the country.
Penpushing reports that Okereke made this known while featuring on a television programme arguing that years of male-dominated leadership have failed to deliver the desired results, emphasizing that her candidacy should not be judged simply on gender, but on what she described as her “blueprint, a plan and a framework” for governing Nigeria.
The female candidate while discussing her campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election, disclosed that she had encountered people who questioned whether a woman could lead Nigeria, adding that she responded by questioning why Nigerians should continue with male leadership.
“Do you think a man who has failed for over 20 years should continue? If you don’t think so, then give this woman a chance. By the way, I’m not here for gender politics. I’m here with accountability. I’m here with a blueprint, a plan, a framework to rescue,” she said.
Penpushing further reports that Okereke identified electricity as one of the first areas she would address if elected, arguing that unreliable power supply undermines businesses, technology adoption and economic activity.
The National Rescue Movement (NRM), Candidate pointed out that small and medium-sized businesses often lose customers because of power failures and the cost of relying on generators and other alternatives.
Penpushing also reports that she said reliable electricity is equally necessary for the country to benefit fully from technology and smart monitoring systems, as she identified insecurity as another immediate priority, stressing that it discourages Nigerians living abroad from returning to invest in the country.
“I have lots of friends that want to come back home to invest, not as charity, but as partners, for us to build Nigeria. But when you tackle the insecurity, you would have lots of people coming home, you know, peacefully’, she emphasised
Penpushing reports that Okereke also criticised the practice of repairing roads shortly before political leaders visit, arguing that infrastructure should be maintained as part of normal governance rather than to impress visiting officials.
“If you have decided to go into public office, just have it at the back of your mind that you’re a servant. You’re here to serve the people, and that’s how it should be’, Okereke stated.
Penpushing further reports that she said her campaign is built on a grassroots structure and argued that citizens should be treated as partners in governance, not merely voters.
“You don’t just need the grassroots for votes. You need them for partnership,” she said. After the election, you need to answer questions from them. You need to give them updates, she added
Penpushing also reports that Okereke said her proposed governance framework would prioritise areas including housing and healthcare, particularly healthcare services for people at the grassroots.
The 2027 election will again be contested predominantly by men, with only two women among the 18 presidential candidates cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Penpushing reports that Nigeria has never elected a woman as president, however, Okereke represents National Rescue Movement (NRM), while Ada Okwori is the National Democratic Party’s presidential candidate.
The two women are seeking the presidency against candidates including President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
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