Abuja: A nationwide voters’ preference survey has revealed that Nigerians are increasingly willing to elect women, young people, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), provided they are considered competent, qualified, and possess credible leadership track records. The findings are contained in Nigeria’s first nationally representative Voters’ Preference Survey (VPS), unveiled by Invictus Africa, a civic-tech organisation, in Abuja. The survey examined voter behaviour ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the pre-election survey conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sampled 11,196 eligible voters to assess voting patterns, electoral preferences, and participation intentions ahead of 2027. Speaking at the unveiling, the Executive Director of Invictus Africa, Ms. Bukky Shonibare, said the survey was designed to move national discourse from assumptions to evidence through direct voter engagement. She said the study sought to understand not only whether Nigerians intended to vote for women, youths, and PWDs, but also the factors likely to influence decisions at polls.
Shonibare indicated that 64.4 per cent of respondents expressed willingness to vote for women in the 2027 elections, but concerns remain about whether female candidates will appear on ballots. She highlighted that many Nigerians are unaware that women, young people, or persons with disabilities are even on the ballot when elections are held. The survey found that 69.1 per cent of respondents had never voted for a woman, largely because many had not encountered female candidates during elections. The findings suggested voter resistance was not the primary obstacle to inclusive political representation, indicating that structural and institutional barriers remained significant challenges.
The conversation, according to Shonibare, is beyond whether women, young people, or persons with disabilities become candidates. The focus is on ensuring they actually win elections. Nigerians overwhelmingly indicated that merit, competence, honesty, and proven leadership experience, rather than gender, age, or disability status, would determine their voting decisions. The survey also showed that voters were more inclined to support women for legislative positions than executive offices, with support lowest for female presidential candidates.
Furthermore, 74.9 per cent of respondents indicated they would definitely participate in the 2027 general elections, although security, accessibility, and electoral conditions could influence eventual turnout. Invictus Africa plans to conduct a post-election survey after the 2027 polls to compare voters’ stated intentions with their actual voting behaviour and outcomes. This is to understand any gap between intention and reality, such as the influence of vote-buying, violence, or intimidation.
The Head of Data and Research at Invictus Africa, Mr. Gabriel Mobuogwu, noted that while women accounted for nearly half of Nigeria’s population and registered voters, youths formed the largest voting bloc, and PWDs remained underrepresented politically. Structural barriers remain the biggest challenge, signaling a need for political parties and stakeholders to provide fair opportunities for these candidates to emerge on the ballot.
Representing the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Technical Assistant Precious Agharese-Esai described the report as a significant development in understanding women’s political participation. The findings offer a fresh perspective capable of strengthening advocacy efforts aimed at increasing women’s inclusion and representation in governance and elective positions nationwide.
Also speaking, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Women Radio 97.1FM, Mrs. Toun Sonaiya, described the survey as a valuable resource for political actors. She emphasized that any politician who wants to win elections must understand the mindset of voters, which the survey provides.
Stakeholders at the event stated that the findings would contribute meaningfully to discussions on Nigeria’s electoral process, political inclusion, and representative democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.