Coalition warns against undermining the only female APC senatorial primary victor from the 19 Northern states.
The Northern Women for Democracy and Inclusive Leadership (NWDIL)—a coalition of women leaders, professionals, and grassroots advocates across the 19 Northern States—has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to immediately affirm the election of Dr. Muheebah Dankaka as the party’s Kwara South Senatorial candidate.
In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Salisu, and National Secretary, Dr. Amina Yusuf Ali, the group expressed deep concern over alleged attempts to undermine the mandate freely given to Dr. Dankaka by party delegates during the Kwara South Senatorial Primary Election.
According to the coalition, the Kwara South primary was “clear, transparent, and decisive.” The group emphasized that Dr. Dankaka’s victory is historic, as she is the only female aspirant to win an APC Senatorial ticket across the entire 19 Northern States in this election cycle.
NWDIL described the result as a breakthrough for women’s leadership in the region, warning that any attempt to overturn the outcome would undermine gender inclusion and political equity.
“For decades, women in Northern Nigeria have mobilized voters and contributed immensely to democratic development, yet their representation in elective offices remains low,” the statement read. “Dr. Dankaka’s victory is a historic breakthrough that should be celebrated and protected, not questioned. If this hard-earned mandate is manipulated, it will send a discouraging message to millions of women and young girls across Northern Nigeria that even when they compete fairly and win, their success can still be taken away.”
The coalition further argued that upholding Dr. Dankaka’s victory aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which prioritizes women’s inclusion and equal opportunities in governance.
To ensure justice and preserve the party’s democratic integrity, NWDIL presented the following demands to the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and Kwara State party stakeholders:
Officially declare and affirm Dr. Muheebah Dankaka as the duly elected APC Senatorial Candidate for Kwara South, Safeguard the integrity of the primary election and respect the democratic choices made by party members, Demonstrate a genuine commitment to gender inclusion by protecting the only female senatorial mandate in the North, Resist all forms of political intimidation, interference, or backroom maneuvers aimed at reversing the will of the people.
The group concluded by noting that the national and international communities are watching the developments closely.
“The affirmation of Dr. Dankaka’s victory is bigger than one individual,” the group stated. “It is about protecting democracy, preserving justice, and proving that merit and hard work still count in our political process.”
