Advocacy group faults Okpebholo over failure to meet 35% female representation in cabinet

AdvoKC Foundation, an advocy group, has raised concerns over the failure of Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo State, to honour his campaign promise of allocating 35 percent of cabinet positions to women.

In 2024, during his gubernatorial campaign in the state, Okpebholo promised 35 percent representation for women in his cabinet if voted as governor. He won the election.

In a statement on Sunday, the group accused the governor of breaking his campaign promises on gender inclusivity.

The group’s statement follows the confirmation of eight new commissioners by the Edo State House of Assembly on August 20. Only one of the newly confirmed commissioners is a woman, bringing the total number of female commissioners to two out of 17.

AdvoKC Foundation said prior to the latest appointments, the cabinet had just one female commissioner. The group added that with the governor, deputy governor, chief of staff, secretary to the state government, and 17 commissioners, the cabinet has 21 members — of which only two are women. This amounts to less than 10 percent female representation.

During the confirmation sitting, Blessing Agbebaku, speaker of the house, also expressed concern about the gender imbalance, noting that just one of the eight nominees was female.

The group said according to the directorate of cabinet, political, and special services, only two commissioner positions remain unfilled, adding that even if both are allocated to women, the 35 percent target will remain unmet.

“This is a clear case of a broken promise and a setback for gender inclusivity in Edo state,” said Nelson Otabor, programme lead for the Okpebholometer at AdvoKC Foundation.

“Edo women are not asking for token inclusion — they are demanding fair representation. It is disappointing that a pledge which inspired hope during the campaign has been abandoned in practice.”

AdvoKC Foundation is tracking the governor’s promise through its Okpebholometer project, part of the Promise Tracker platform supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund. The platform monitors campaign and governance commitments.

The group called on the governor to take urgent corrective measures, including appointing women to strategic positions across the administration and adopting inclusive policies.

“Edo women deserve more than symbolic gestures; they deserve the representation that was promised to them,” AdvoKC Foundation said.