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Women Rally as Political Force, Signal Shift from Inclusion to Power
Women Rally as Political Force, Signal Shift from Inclusion to Power
By: Michael Mike
A new political current is gathering momentum in Nigeria—one that seeks to transform women from participants in governance to a decisive, organised force capable of shaping power itself.
At the centre of this shift is the Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Suleiman, who on Thursday framed the forthcoming 2026 Women Mega Empowerment and Rally not as a ceremonial gathering, but as the launch of a structured national movement with clear political, economic and social intent.
Addressing a world press briefing in Abuja, Suleiman described the initiative—anchored on the theme “The Power of 10 Million: One Voice, One Movement, One Choice”—as a strategic pivot in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
“This is not a programme. It is a paradigm shift,” she declared. “It is a movement from participation to power, from inclusion to influence—one that establishes women as organised constituents with voice, structure and agency.”
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Beyond Optics: Building a National Women’s Bloc
While political rallies are a familiar feature of Nigeria’s democratic landscape, the minister’s framing suggests something more deliberate: the construction of a nationwide women’s bloc capable of exerting coordinated influence.
Rather than attempting to gather millions physically, the rally—scheduled for May 5 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium—will bring together delegates from all 9,410 wards, embedding what organisers describe as a bottom-up mobilisation model.
“It is not about filling a stadium with 10 million people,” Suleiman explained. “It is about mobilising 10 million voices and ensuring that empowerment reaches the grassroots.”
The approach signals a shift from symbolic inclusion to structured participation—where representation is decentralised, but influence is unified.
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Aligning Power with Policy
The movement is explicitly tied to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reflecting a growing convergence between gender advocacy and state policy.
Suleiman credited the administration with repositioning women, families and vulnerable groups at the centre of national development, arguing that the rally represents both endorsement and expansion of that framework.
“Inclusive growth is not optional—it is fundamental,” she said. “Women are not beneficiaries; they are drivers of transformational change.”
The minister pointed to policy instruments such as the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention 774 programme, which targets women across all local government areas with grants, skills development, enterprise support and access to markets.
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Economic Power as Political Leverage
Underlying the mobilisation is a clear economic argument: that women’s empowerment is not merely social policy but a macroeconomic strategy.
With women forming a significant share of Nigeria’s informal economy—particularly in agriculture, trade and small-scale enterprise—the minister argued that closing systemic gaps in access to finance, land and opportunity could unlock exponential national growth.
“When women are empowered, the nation multiplies its productivity,” she said, framing the initiative as both an empowerment pipeline and an economic engine.
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The First Lady Factor
The rally also draws legitimacy from the visible involvement of the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, whose grassroots engagements have positioned her as a central figure in the administration’s social development agenda.
Suleiman described her role as going “beyond ceremonial duty,” noting that her interventions have helped bridge the gap between policy and community-level impact. She is expected to attend the rally as Special Guest of Honour.
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Three Strategic Outcomes
Beyond mobilisation, the rally is designed to produce tangible political and institutional outcomes.
First, it will serve as a unified platform for endorsing President Tinubu ahead of the general election—an indication that the movement is not neutral but aligned with existing power structures.
Second, it will generate a national charter of women’s demands, intended to function as both a policy roadmap and a social contract between women and the state.
Third, it aims to integrate women’s groups across all wards into a coordinated network, strengthening grassroots organisation and ensuring continuity beyond the event itself.
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A Narrative of Unity—and Control
Speakers at the briefing reinforced the idea of collective identity as a source of strength. Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, argued that women must take ownership of the national narrative.
“We are not telling the story enough,” she said. “When women come together, they can speak more powerfully than anyone.”
Similarly, Organising Committee Chairman, Zainab Ibrahim, framed the initiative as a unifying force across political, social and regional divides.
“This is not just a rally—it is a movement,” she said. “It allows women to think, plan and act as one.”
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From Momentum to Power
What distinguishes this initiative is not its scale, but its intent. By combining political endorsement, economic empowerment and grassroots structuring, the organisers are attempting to convert numerical strength into coordinated influence.
The emphasis on ward-level integration suggests a long-term strategy—one that could reshape how women engage with elections, policy advocacy and governance.
Whether it evolves into a sustained political force or remains within the orbit of existing power structures will depend on how effectively it translates mobilisation into measurable outcomes.
For now, the message from Abuja is unmistakable: Nigerian women are no longer content with inclusion—they are organising for power.
“The rise of Nigerian women,” Suleiman said, “is not a possibility. It is inevitable.”
Women Rally as Political Force, Signal Shift from Inclusion to Power
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Several ISIS Trainers from Iraq Among 175 Terrorists Killed in Joint Nigeria-US Airstrikes
Several ISIS Trainers from Iraq Among 175 Terrorists Killed in Joint Nigeria-US Airstrikes
By: Zagazola Makama
Several foreign ISIS trainers from Iraq were among 175 terrorists eliminated during ongoing joint counter-insurgency operations conducted in the joint United States Africa Command and Nigeria’s military airstrikes in North-East Nigeria.
Sources who disclosed this on Tuesday described the coordinated offensives as a major breakthrough against the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and allied terrorist networks operating within the Lake Chad region.
According to the sources, the strikes, which commenced a few days ago, targeted terrorist camps, logistics hubs, weapons caches, checkpoints and financial networks used to sustain insurgent operations across parts of Borno and surrounding areas.
The authorities said intelligence assessments confirmed that several foreign ISIS operatives and trainers linked to Iraq-based extremist networks were neutralised alongside scores of local fighters during the precision strikes.
On ground assessment indicated that several foreign fighters also met their waterloo. The fighters were in charge of training and responsible for the ISWAP drone command.
Sources said that the foreign trainers were planing to leave within two days before the strikes that eliminated several of them.
Military had previously announced the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, aka Abbor Mainok described by the military as one of the most significant ISIS operatives globally and a key figure in the group’s international terror coordination structure.
The military said Al-Minuki played central roles in terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics coordination and attack planning linked to ISIS operations targeting Nigeria and other countries.
Other senior terrorist figures reportedly eliminated included Abd-al Wahhab, said to be responsible for coordinating attacks and propaganda activities for ISWAP, Abu Musa al-Mangawi, a senior operational commander, and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, identified as a senior media production manager and close associate of Al-Minuki.
Military authorities stated that the successful operations had significantly disrupted ISIS leadership structures, operational coordination and external attack capabilities within the region.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria further reiterated their commitment to sustaining joint operations with international partners to eliminate terrorist threats and restore lasting peace and stability in the North-East.
The military high command added that efforts to track and neutralise fleeing insurgents and dismantle remaining terrorist enclaves were ongoing.
Several ISIS Trainers from Iraq Among 175 Terrorists Killed in Joint Nigeria-US Airstrikes
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TROOPS OF 4 BRIGADE BUST KIDNAPPERS’ HIDEOUTS, ARREST 12 SUSPECTS IN OWAN EAST AND ESAN SOUTH-EAST LGAs OF EDO STATE
TROOPS OF 4 BRIGADE BUST KIDNAPPERS’ HIDEOUTS, ARREST 12 SUSPECTS IN OWAN EAST AND ESAN SOUTH-EAST LGAs OF EDO STATE
By: Our Reporter
Troops of 4 Brigade, under 2 Division Nigerian Army, in conjunction with the other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps, arrested a total of 12 suspected kidnappers during clearance operations that started on 12 May 2026 in Owan East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas of Edo State.
During the operation, code-named Operation KO SALO, troops cleared Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village, and conducted cordon-and-search operations at the Rugan Fulani settlement. Three suspected criminals namely; Ishaya Obadis, aged 20, Markus Ballu, aged 35, and Godknows Owonoji, aged 30, were arrested at Olelo Forest. Items recovered from the suspects included two motorcycles and two mobile phones. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were collaborators and logistics suppliers to kidnappers. Consequently, the suspects were handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further action.
In a related development, troops further cleared Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village, and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani, all in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State. During the clearance operation, two suspects namely; Bala Mahmood, aged 70, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, aged 25, were arrested. Items recovered from them included dangerous weapons and one small Tecno mobile phone. The suspects and recovered items were also handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation and prosecution.
Similarly, troops proceeded to clear Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East Local Government Area, as well as the Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State. During the operation, seven suspected kidnappers namely; Isah Shehu, aged 25, Hamadu Safiyanu, aged 22, Tijani Shehu, aged 24, Yahaya Babangida, aged 25, Usman Hamza, aged 26, Abduladi Saleh, aged 23, and Gadafi Tukur, aged 27, were arrested within the Uwarlor-Oke Forest. Items recovered from the suspects included one motorcycle and two itel mobile phones. The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Amendokhian Police Division for further action.
Also, troops in conjunction with Nigerian Police Force and local vigilantes conducted operations at Emu Forest in Emu, Esan South East Local Government Area, Edo State. During the operation, troops extensively searched Otobo Camp and Nnamdo Camp, one locally made long barrel gun and one motorcycle were recovered. Recovered items were deposited at Ubiaja Police Division for further action. Troops continue with the ongoing operation aimed at ridding the state of criminal elements.
The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and charged them to sustain the operational tempo towards dismantling all kidnappers’ hideouts across Edo State. He also reassured members of the public of the Brigade’s unwavering commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at eradicating kidnapping and protecting lives and property. The Commander urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations. He further appreciated the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife for his strategic guidance and support which he said has fostered operational excellence.
TROOPS OF 4 BRIGADE BUST KIDNAPPERS’ HIDEOUTS, ARREST 12 SUSPECTS IN OWAN EAST AND ESAN SOUTH-EAST LGAs OF EDO STATE
Seven Killed, Kafin Hausa Chairman Injured in Jigawa Auto Crash
By: Zagazola Makama
Seven persons have died while the Chairman of Kafin Hausa Local Government Area sustained injuries following a fatal motor accident along the Malam Madori–Hadejia Road in Jigawa State.
Police sources said the accident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. on May 18, 2026, at Kashin Dila Junction involving a Toyota Starlet and a black Mercedes-Benz GLK vehicle.
According to the sources, the Toyota Starlet, driven by Adamu Dakido, was conveying passengers from Hadejia to Malam Madori when it collided head-on with the GLK vehicle conveying the Chairman of Kafin Hausa Local Government Area and his driver from Gumel to Kafin Hausa.
The sources stated that all six occupants of the Toyota Starlet died on the spot due to the impact of the collision.
The driver of the GLK vehicle also reportedly lost his life instantly, while the council chairman sustained varying degrees of injuries.
A patrol team of the Nigeria Police Force was said to have responded swiftly to the scene and evacuated the injured victim and corpses to the General Hospital, Hadejia.
Police authorities said investigation into the cause of the accident was ongoing.
Seven Killed, Kafin Hausa Chairman Injured in Jigawa Auto Crash
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