The next governor of Lagos State must commit to allocating between 35 per cent and 50 per cent of political appointments to women.
The next governor must also introduce policies that will address economic hardship, insecurity and poor public service.
The President of the Women Arise for Change Initiative gave the conditions on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.
She urged politicians to avoid thuggery, ballot snatching and voter intimidation in the 2027 general elections.
NAN reports that political activities are intensifying in Lagos ahead of the 2027 general elections, with 10 candidates reportedly seeking the state’s governorship seat.
Among the candidates are the incumbent Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Obafemi Hamzat of the All Progressives Congress, and Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the African Democratic Congress.
The contest comes amid public concerns about the cost of living, transport, housing, access to healthcare and education.
Okei-Odumakin, a rights advocate and civil society leader, stressed that whoever would emerge the next Lagos State governor must demonstrate commitment to inclusive governance.
She said that there must be measurable improvements in the lives of Lagos residents under the winner’s administration.
According to her, Lagos residents deserve
purposeful leadership that will translate the state’s reputation as the centre of excellence into tangible benefits.
Okei-Odumakin urged the governorship candidates to move beyond campaign promises and make clear, measurable commitments that residents could use to assess them.
“My expectations as a woman and as a civil society leader are very clear. Lagos is the Centre of Excellence, but excellence must be felt in the lives of ordinary Lagosians,” she said.
Okei-Odumakin emphasised that the 2027 elections should provide an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate how their policies would improve living standards, expand opportunities and strengthen public trust in governance.
“Lagos cannot afford politics as usual. We need leadership that listens to women, includes women and works for women and all Lagosians,” she said.
She described inclusion of women and young people in governance as non-negotiable, demanding written and publicly-accessible commitments from the candidates on affirmative action, protection of women’s rights and equal economic opportunities.
She advocated allocating between 35 and 50 per cent of cabinet, board and local government supervisory positions to women.
Okei-Odumakin said that such appointments must carry meaningful responsibilities.
She also called for full implementation of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Law, provision of functional shelters and economic support for survivors of abuse as well as measures to protect market women from harassment and multiple taxation.
Okei-Odumakin suggested establishment of a youth and women enterprise fund offering loans at single-digit interest rates.
She said that the fund should have transparent disbursement procedures and mentorship opportunities for young women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, politics and leadership.
She said that the next administration in Lagos State should prioritise girl-child education by ensuring access to safe schools.
She added that the administration must reduce maternal mortality through improved services at primary healthcare centres.
“Whoever wins, Lagos women and youth must win with him,” she said.
The rights advocate also said the next Lagos State governor must prioritise human-centred policies and should not focus exclusively on physical infrastructure development.
She said that flyovers and urban beautification should be matched by affordable housing, efficient and safe public transport, functional primary healthcare facilities and quality public schools.
Okei-Odumakin emphasised the need to support the informal sector which, she said, accounted for about 70 per cent of Lagos residents.
She identified market women, artisans and young technology innovators as important contributors to the state’s economy.
She said that the next administration in Lagos State must adopt humane taxation policies, improve access to credit and create employment opportunities.
Okei-Odumakin called for sustainable strategies to address flooding, manage waste and strengthen climate resilience, saying that environmental challenges required practical and long-term solutions.
She urged politicians to adopt issue-based campaigns and avoid tribalism and character assassination.
Okei-Odumakin called on the candidates to publicly commit to peaceful campaigns and sign a peace accord, adding that their supporters must be held to the terms of such an agreement.
She said that political engagement must extend beyond campaign rallies and town hall meetings organised for publicity to meaningful discussions in markets, campuses and communities, where residents could question candidates on their plans and priorities.
Okei-Odumakin also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
She encouraged eligible voters to participate actively in the forthcoming elections.
“Voter apathy is a vote for bad governance,” she said, warning that citizens withdrawal from elections could weaken accountability and limit their influence over decisions affecting them.
She also called for an inclusive security framework that would protect Lagos residents irrespective of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
“The era of area boys, ballot snatching and voter intimidation must end.
“Candidates must ensure that political competition should not undermine the safety and rights of citizens,” she said.
LAW/IGO
========
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
NAN reports that political activities are intensifying in Lagos ahead of the 2027 general elections, with 10 candidates reportedly seeking the state’s governorship seat.
Among them are the incumbent Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Obafemi Hamzat of the All Progressives Congress, and Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the African Democratic Congress.
The contest comes amid public concerns about the cost of living, transport, housing, access to healthcare and education.
Okei-Odumakin, a rights advocate and civil society leader, stressed that whoever would emerge the next Lagos State governor must demonstrate commitment to inclusive governance.
She said that there must be measurable improvements in the lives of Lagos residents under the winner’s administration.
According to her, Lagos residents deserve
purposeful leadership that will translate the state’s reputation as the centre of excellence into tangible benefits.
Okei-Odumakin urged the governorship candidates to move beyond campaign promises and make clear, measurable commitments that residents could use to assess them.
“My expectations as a woman and as a civil society leader are very clear. Lagos is the Centre of Excellence, but excellence must be felt in the lives of ordinary Lagosians,” she said.
Okei-Odumakin emphasised that the 2027 elections should provide an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate how their policies would improve living standards, expand opportunities and strengthen public trust in governance.
“Lagos cannot afford politics as usual. We need leadership that listens to women, includes women and works for women and all Lagosians,” she said.
She described inclusion of women and young people in governance as non-negotiable, demanding written and publicly-accessible commitments from the candidates on affirmative action, protection of women’s rights and equal economic opportunities.
She advocated allocating between 35 and 50 per cent of cabinet, board and local government supervisory positions to women.
Okei-Odumakin said that such appointments must carry meaningful responsibilities.
She also called for full implementation of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Law, provision of functional shelters and economic support for survivors of abuse as well as measures to protect market women from harassment and multiple taxation.
Okei-Odumakin suggested establishment of a youth and women enterprise fund offering loans at single-digit interest rates.
She said that the fund should have transparent disbursement procedures and mentorship opportunities for young women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, politics and leadership.
She said that the next administration in Lagos State should prioritise girl-child education by ensuring access to safe schools.
She added that the administration must reduce maternal mortality through improved services at primary healthcare centres.
“Whoever wins, Lagos women and youth must win with him,” she said.
The rights advocate also said the next Lagos State governor must prioritise human-centred policies and should not focus exclusively on physical infrastructure development.
She said that flyovers and urban beautification should be matched by affordable housing, efficient and safe public transport, functional primary healthcare facilities and quality public schools.
Okei-Odumakin emphasised the need to support the informal sector which, she said, accounted for about 70 per cent of Lagos residents.
She identified market women, artisans and young technology innovators as important contributors to the state’s economy.
She said that the next administration in Lagos State must adopt humane taxation policies, improve access to credit and create employment opportunities.
Okei-Odumakin called for sustainable strategies to address flooding, manage waste and strengthen climate resilience, saying that environmental challenges required practical and long-term solutions.
She urged politicians to adopt issue-based campaigns and avoid tribalism and character assassination.
Okei-Odumakin called on the candidates to publicly commit to peaceful campaigns and sign a peace accord, adding that their supporters must be held to the terms of such an agreement.
She said that political engagement must extend beyond campaign rallies and town hall meetings organised for publicity to meaningful discussions in markets, campuses and communities, where residents could question candidates on their plans and priorities.
Okei-Odumakin also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
She encouraged eligible voters to participate actively in the forthcoming elections.
“Voter apathy is a vote for bad governance,” she said, warning that citizens withdrawal from elections could weaken accountability and limit their influence over decisions affecting them.
She also called for an inclusive security framework that would protect Lagos residents irrespective of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
“The era of area boys, ballot snatching and voter intimidation must end.
“Candidates must ensure that political competition should not undermine the safety and rights of citizens,” she said.
NAN