The push for gender-driven political reform took center stage in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as Dr. Amina Zanna Ibrahim, the sole female APC Senatorial aspirant, called on the party leadership to reserve the 2026 Senatorial ticket exclusively for women.
Presenting her campaign manifesto to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee, Dr. Ibrahim argued that the current legislative imbalance—where women hold a negligible fraction of Senate seats—can only be corrected through intentional affirmative action.
The Case for an Exclusive Ticket
Dr. Ibrahim’s campaign is built on the premise that female representation is not just a matter of equity, but of necessity. She challenged the status quo, asserting that male representatives cannot authentically mirror the lived experiences of women.
”A man cannot be a voice to women. Let a woman represent the women,” Dr. Ibrahim declared. “I am pleading with the leadership of our great party to reserve the FCT seat for women. We want the inclusion of women and youth in our governance.”
Addressing the challenge posed by male political veterans such as Senator Philip Aduda, Dr. Ibrahim dismissed the notion of being an “underdog,” citing her 30-year residency in the FCT and her professional capacity as superior tools for representation.
”We are Almost Extinct” – APC Leadership Responds
The call for a female-reserved ticket received a powerful endorsement from Hon. Hajiya Zainab Abubakar Ibrahim, the APC Deputy National Women Leader. Hajiya Zainab painted a grim picture of the current political landscape, describing female senators as “almost extinct.”
”We have just four [women] out of 109. Out of those four, one is not even stable, so sometimes I say it is three and a half,” Hajiya Zainab noted. She emphasized that the FCT, being a cosmopolitan center and the “seat of the Republic,” is the ideal location to set a national precedent for gender inclusion.
A Strategic Gender Bias
In a rare moment of political candor, the Deputy Women Leader admitted to being “biased” in favor of female aspirants. She pledged her total support for Dr. Ibrahim’s bid, stating that the movement transcends personal ambition.
”It’s not for you, it’s not for me—it’s for the gender,” Hajiya Zainab said. “If other places have state governors, FCT is for everybody. Let us declare this one for our party. Once I have a woman contesting, I go all out.”
Next Steps for the Campaign
With the APC having cleared five out of six Area Councils in recent local elections, the party leadership believes a unified push behind a capable female candidate could secure the FCT. Dr. Ibrahim has already begun grassroots consultations, moving from her ward to area councils to mobilize women and youth groups ahead of the 2026 polls.
