Democracy Without Women is Not Democracy: How Sen. Seriake Dickson is Championing the “Women for 35%” Movement
(By The Political Razzmatazz Editorial Team | Women in Politics Spotlight)
In the turbulent landscape of Nigerian politics, one truth remains undeniable: when women are pushed out of political participation, the entire nation pays the price. Sectors like healthcare, education, food security, and child welfare, the very bedrock of a stable society, are left vulnerable.
Yet, as the 2027 elections rapidly approach, the systemic barriers keeping Nigerian women out of elective and appointed offices are higher than ever.
But the tide is turning. A powerful national movement known as the Women for 35% Initiative has emerged to dismantle these political roadblocks, and they have secured the backing of one of Nigeria’s most formidable political heavyweights: Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.
Here is everything you need to know about this historic alliance and what it means for the future of Nigerian governance.
The Visionary Behind the Movement
The Women for 35% Initiative is not just a slogan; it is the flagship national movement of the AJU Morgan Elumelu Foundation (AMEF). Convened by the relentless Ambassador Mary-Jane AJU Elumelu-James, this initiative was born out of courage, frustration, and an unyielding demand for justice.
The movement’s goal is clear and uncompromising: to ensure that women make up at least 35% of all decision-making bodies in Nigerian governance.
As Amb. AJU Elumelu-James powerfully stated during the initiative’s recent one-year anniversary on May 22, 2026: “Nigerian women deserve not pity, not tokenism, but power, participation, and representation.”
Watch the video below:
The Heavyweight Patron: Enter Senator Seriake Dickson
To bring the plight of Nigerian women directly to the corridors of power, the foundation knew it needed an ally who understood how to navigate the complexities of the National Assembly.
In late 2025, in a deeply significant move to honor legacy and advance inclusion, the foundation officially appointed Senator Henry Seriake Dickson—the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)—as the Patron of the Women for 35% Initiative.
Senator Dickson did not take this appointment lightly. As a self-proclaimed “He-for-She” ambassador, he immediately went to work. His selfless role involves:
- Legislative Amplification: Using his massive influence in the Senate to push for the 74 Reserved Seats for Women Bill.
- Dismantling the Plutocracy: Fighting against the monetization of Nigerian politics that consistently prices women out of the electoral race.
- Leading by Example: Infusing affirmative action directly into the structural DNA of his newly formed party, the NDC, ensuring women have a deliberate and protected voice.
The 2027 Ultimatum: A Call for Fairness
With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, Senator Dickson and the Women for 35% Initiative are not just making requests—they are making demands.
The movement has issued a direct call to the chairmen of all political parties and the Presidency to create an enabling environment for female candidates. Their core demands for 2027 include:
- Free Nomination Forms for female aspirants.
- Structural Waivers to eliminate the financial barriers that crush women’s political ambitions.
- Protection against exploitation and political harassment during campaigns.
As Senator Dickson rightly noted during a recent X (Twitter) Space hosted by AJU Global Media, “Democracy is about the people, not just the leaders.” You cannot claim to have a representative democracy while systematically silencing over 50% of your population.
Over to You
Investing in women is not a favor to women; it is an investment in the survival and prosperity of Nigeria.
Do you think political parties should be mandated by law to give women free nomination forms ahead of 2027, or do you believe the current system is fair enough? Drop your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments below!
