The presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Esther Nkem, has declared that women are capable of governing Nigeria, urging greater inclusion of women in political leadership.

Nkem made the declaration in Abuja during the signing of the party’s Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) policy, organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Women Trust Fund and Heinrich Böll Stiftung.

She criticised the perception that women cannot occupy the highest political office in the country, saying such attitudes discourage female participation in politics.

The NRM candidate, however, expressed confidence that women could successfully lead Nigeria, insisting that the political narrative was changing.

Nkem commended the party for creating opportunities for women to seek elective positions rather than limiting their involvement to campaigning and voting for male candidates.

She described joining the NRM as a major turning point in her political career.The Programme Officer of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Malliya Manu, said the policy was designed to provide a safe political environment for women and establish channels for reporting sexual harassment and exploitation within the party.

The National Chairman of the NRM, Prince Chinedu Obi, said the adoption of the policy demonstrated the party’s commitment to gender inclusion and good governance.

Obi disclosed that women occupy key positions within the party, including four female state chairpersons and a female national organising secretary.

He added that Nkem emerged as the party’s presidential candidate through a competitive primary election.

He identified sexual harassment as a major factor discouraging women from participating in politics, stressing that adequate safeguards were necessary to guarantee their safety and encourage more women to seek political offices.