The National Alliance of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (NAMWAN) has pledged to mobilise 10 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid while demanding greater representation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council and government institutions.
The coalition, comprising more than 20 Muslim women’s organisations across Nigeria, said women’s contributions to political mobilisation must be matched with meaningful participation in decision-making and leadership positions.
Speaking at a national gathering of Muslim women leaders and Islamic scholars in Abuja, NAMWAN National President, Dr Sameera Abubakar Abdullahi, said women remained a major force in electoral mobilisation but were often excluded from strategic political appointments and policy formulation.
Abdullahi disclosed that the organisation had a verified register of two million members with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and had put structures in place to mobilise 10 million votes in support of Tinubu’s re-election.
She, however, stressed that the coalition expected political leaders to recognise its contributions and provide the necessary support to strengthen its participation in the political process.
“We need support from the PCC, the Asiwaju support groups, and the Director-General himself,” she said.
According to Abdullahi, Muslim women have contributed significantly to political mobilisation and electoral participation over the years but have not received adequate recognition for their efforts.
She explained that NAMWAN was established to unite Muslim women’s organisations across the country while preserving their individual identities and strengthening their collective influence.
The coalition, she added, seeks to establish a coordinated national structure through which women can communicate their concerns to policymakers, access opportunities and participate more effectively in governance.
Beyond political representation, Abdullahi called on political parties and government institutions to introduce practical measures to promote women’s economic empowerment, education, leadership development and access to affordable healthcare.
She specifically highlighted the need for capacity-building programmes, sustainable funding opportunities and economic support for rural women and widows.
The NAMWAN president maintained that women’s participation should extend beyond election periods, urging political stakeholders to sustain engagement with women before, during and after elections.
As part of its efforts to advance the demands, the coalition announced plans to organise a national summit involving 1,000 Muslim women leaders to engage directly with the leadership of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
The organisation also plans to seek an audience with First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to discuss a structured framework for advancing women’s political leadership and socio-economic development.
The Abuja gathering attracted prominent religious and political figures, including the National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Dr Abdullahi Bala Lau, who chaired the occasion.
The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdul-Azeez Yari, attended as the special guest of honour, while the JIBWIS Secretary-General, Sheikh Dr Muhammad Kabir Haruna Gombe, delivered the keynote address.
Other participants included NAMWAN Deputy President, Ambassador Amina Haruna Shanono; National Secretary, Malama Mariya Nasir El-Ladan; National Public Relations Officer, Malama Dayyiba Umar; Malama Sayyada Alaika of Bauchi State; Malama Barakatu Adamu of the National Qadiriyya; Dr Zainab Aliyu Abubakar; and Ummu Shuhada.
The coalition reiterated its commitment to promoting women’s participation in national development, stressing that political mobilisation should translate into greater representation, economic opportunities and influence in governance.
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