By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Christian and Muslim women in Northern Nigeria are bridging religious divides to forge a united political front and amplify their collective influence.
Spearheaded by the Northern Christian Women Coalition alongside the Muslim Northern Women Coalition, the initiative will unite women across all 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The partnership is designed to strengthen women’s collective political voice and influence, the leader of the coalition, Mrs Leah Olusiyi Solomon, disclosed in an interview with Persecondnews, in Abuja on Friday.
According to her, the decision to bring Christians and Muslim women together was informed by the need to prevent religious differences from weakening their participation and influence in politics.
“The decision we have taken is to unite as Christian women and Muslim women. We are bringing it together as women because women can work together.”
She disclosed that the Northern Christian Women Coalition had been operating for about six years, while efforts to organise the Muslim Northern Women Coalition began approximately three months ago.
According to her, the two organisations are working towards establishing a common platform with structures extending from the ward level to local governments, zones, states and the national level.
Solomon added that the coalition was preparing for an official inauguration and flag-off to formally announce the partnership and its political mobilisation plans.
She said the alliance was targeting 11,500 women as part of its mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.
On political representation, Solomon decried the lack of adequate appointments and leadership slots for women, noting that their immense contributions to party development and governance are often overlooked.
She challenged prominent women in power to open doors for the younger generation to rise into leadership roles.
“We need to tell our women that with the little opportunities we have had as commissioners and in other positions, we must bring our younger ones to replace us,” she stated.
Solomon maintained that women must overcome internal divisions and build a stronger political alliance to improve their collective bargaining power and representation.
On the 2027 presidential election, she declared the coalition’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition, arguing that he should be given another opportunity to complete his tenure.
She acknowledged that the administration might have shortcomings but maintained that leadership should be assessed within the context of continuity and fairness.
“We are coming on board to say let him finish the second tenure. We are not saying he is perfect. Nobody is perfect in leadership; it is only God. But let’s try him for the second time and see what he can build.”
Solomon also argued that equity should inform the country’s political leadership, pointing to the need for fair opportunities across Nigeria’s regions.
She maintained that the proposed alliance would give women a stronger platform to participate in political conversations, mobilise support and pursue greater representation in governance.
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