The Women Electoral Engagement and Good Governance Coalition (WEEGC) has continued its statewide advocacy for women’s political inclusion and protection against electoral violence, holding key engagements across Kogi State on October 27 and 28, 2025.

Day 1: Advocacy Visit to KOSIEC

On October 27, 2025, around 9:40a.m., the coalition paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), Hon. Mamman NDA Eri.

Led by the Executive Director of Challenged Parenthood Initiative, Madam Eunice Abimbola, WEEGC delivered a strong call for zero tolerance for Violence Against Women in Elections (VAWE). The coalition emphasized that violence targeted at women during elections is a serious threat to democracy, human dignity, and gender equality.

Using the 2019 Kogi gubernatorial election as a reference point, the coalition highlighted:
• Localized violence, including the killing of an opposition leader and ballot snatching affecting female voters.
• Harassment and intimidation of female aspirants, which forced some to withdraw from contesting.
• Economic pressure tactics, where women in local markets were threatened into voting against their will.

These incidents, the group noted, contributed to a noticeable decline in women’s voter turnout across the state.

WEEGC, supported by Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room (SR) and
UK Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), urged KOSIEC to take concrete steps to ensure women’s safe participation. The recommendations included:
• Mandatory training for election staff to identify and report VAWE.
• Collaboration with women-led groups to secure polling environments.
• Systematic collection of data on incidents of electoral violence to shape policy responses.

The coalition stressed that women’s safety and equal participation are essential for credible and inclusive elections in Kogi State.

KOSIEC Chairman’s Response:
On the other hand, the KOSIEC Chairman, Hon. Mamman NDA Eri, who also serves as the Chair of all 36 State Electoral Commission Chairmen in Nigeria, praised WEEGC’s commitment to promoting women’s civic participation. He promised to champion the cause nationally and encouraged extending the advocacy to grassroots communities, ensuring more women are informed, involved, and empowered.

An image of a seminar room with several women and a few men sitting at tables, appearing to participate in a meeting. Most of the women are wearing traditional Nigerian attire, featuring colorful dresses and head wraps. At the front of the room, a white banner hangs on the wall which reads: "NIGERIA CIVIL SOCIETY SITUATION ROOM In Partnership With CHALLENGED PARENTHOOD INITIATIVE (CPI) IMPROVING INCLUSIVITY AND PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN ELECTORAL PROCESS IN KOGI STATE." There is a projector and laptop on a small table in front, projecting an image onto a paper or device. Some of the attendees are listening attentively, while others are deep in thought or conversing quietly with each other. The mood appears to be focused and engaged.

Day 2: Formation of LGA Clusters for Grassroots Engagement

An image of a group of men and women posing together indoors. There are 21 people, with seven women sitting in the front row and the rest standing behind them. Most are dressed in traditional African clothing, while a few wear modern attire. Behind them hangs a large banner that reads: "NIGERIA CIVIL SOCIETY SITUATION ROOM CHALLENGED PARENTHOOD INITIATIVE (CPI) IMPROVING INCLUSIVITY AND PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN ELECTORAL PROCESS IN KOGI STATE" The room has blue plastic chairs and brown window blinds. There is a table in the foreground with some documents and items on it. The atmosphere suggests a formal group meeting or workshop focusing on women's participation in electoral processes.

On October 28, 2025, twenty-one non-partisan women representing all 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State met at the Modern Age Event Hall to establish the LGA Clusters for Grassroots Engagement under WEEGC.

During the meeting, participants reviewed the Guidelines and Operational Framework that will guide coordinated women-led governance advocacy at the local level.

Each LGA Cluster will include:
• One LGA Focal Person
• 3–5 Ward Representatives from community-based women’s groups
• Youth and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) representatives
• A liaison from civil society or INEC Gender Desk

Cluster Responsibilities Include:
• Mobilizing women for voter education and civic engagement
• Organizing town hall dialogues in communities
• Distributing educational materials
• Reporting gender-related electoral challenges
• Facilitating training and capacity-building for rural women and youth

To ensure sustainability, clusters will maintain attendance records, conduct regular evaluations, form partnerships with local organizations, and coordinate with state-level structures.

During zonal breakout sessions, delegates agreed on leadership structures and reporting lines across Kogi’s three senatorial districts.
Notably, the State Coordinator of the Disability Rights Protection Initiative (DRP Initiative), Mrs. Esther PeterSanda was appointed Kogi Central Coordinator, Deaconess ILUJUNKA FELICIA EBUN was appointed the Coordinator for Kogi West, while Miss. Stella Edoka Laruba was appointed the coordinator for Kogi east respectively for WEEGC.

The session ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Madam Eunice Abimbola, and the meeting closed at 1pm.

Across both days, WEEGC reinforced a clear message: women must be able to vote, contest, and lead without fear. Strengthening women’s participation at both state and grassroots levels is not only a democratic necessity but also a foundation for sustainable development in Kogi State.