Over 84 million people are registered to vote in the West African country’s presidential election scheduled for Saturday, February 16.
A total of 73 candidates are running for presidency, with President Muhammadu Buhari keen to retain his seat for a second and final term.
Despite the huge figures however, the country does not have a single female candidate running for the top office.
One female candidate had initially shown interest in the seat, but she withdrew from the race in January citing various challenges.
While announcing her withdrawal from the race, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili said she had reached the decision after “extensive discussions with Nigerians at home and the Diaspora.”
Nigeria has not had a female president since it gained independence in 1960.
As the world moves ever closer to gender parity however, there is hope from Nigerians that the country will attain its first female leader in the near future.
In this regard, CGTN Africa got a hold of the president of the Accountable Leadership for a Better Nigeria Initiative (ALBNI) Remi Adebayo for his take on Nigeria’s lack of female representation in Saturday’s presidential vote.
