Meet Patience Ndidi Key, Edo 2024’s only female guber candidate

As the people of Edo state is set for its gubernatorial election come Sep. 21, 2024, Patience Ndidi Key of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) deserves an accolade for her courageous move in pursuing the governorship position despite numerous challenges and setbacks confronting women’s participation in the Nigeria political terrain.

She is the only female candidate out of the 17 political heavyweights jostling to become next governor of Edo state.  In this article, NDIDAMAKA EDE spotlights the health professional seeking to become Nigeria’s first elected female governor.

Early Life and Education

Key born in Edo Nigeria hails from Igueben Local Government Area of the state. She is also a citizen of the USA. She attended Ambrose Alli University, Ekpom, Edo state where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Regional Planning. She also holds Bachelor of Nursing from Coppin state University, and also a masters in public health from Walen University, USA.

Professional and Political Carriers 

Before traveling to USA, Ndidi Key worked as a health professional who actively engaged in public health. Her commitment towards public health and social issues led her to found Ndid Key Founded and P-K health solutions.

At USA, she served as the president of the Nigerians in Diaspora organisation (NIDOA) Maryland chapter as well as the Chairman of Board of Directors for NIDOA and in June 2022, Ndidi Key received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden.

Ndidi Key aspired for Nigeria president towards the 2023 general elections still under PRP, though she did not become the flag bearer. She is an advocate for change and development in Nigeria. According to her, she is in the race to transform Edo.

Among the 34 candidates listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the upcoming election in the state; 17  for the office of the governor and another 17 for the deputy. While there are other four women also contesting for the position of deputy governor, the 50-year Ndidi Key and a  prominent American entrepreneur stands as the only woman among the 17 governorship candidates, hence ready to change the narratives of women underrepresentation in Nigeria politics.

However, the ratio of men to women candidates in the upcoming election reflects what the situation has always been since the return of democracy in 1999. This further explains the level of unequal representation in Nigeria’s democracy.

Reports showed that about 25 women contested for the 2023 governorship election out of the 419 candidates for the same position, yet non emerged winner. The number is declining yearly and it is a prove that the unsuccessful attempt by the few women who usually show interest discourage  many others from even making a move.

According to report by Dataphyte the number of women participation in politics since 1999 is discouraging. For instance, the 2007 general election had 8 (7.3%) women elected into the house of senate and by 2023, the number dropped to 3%. Similarly, for the 2011 election, women had about 21 seats (5.8%) but after the 2023 election, it dropped to 4%.

Currently, only six women were appointed ministers under the incumbent administration while no woman has ever been elected as an executive governor or president in the country since 1960, through 1999 and till date.

Data by Worldometers showed that as of early 2024, Nigeria population is 232.68 million, while men constitute 55.5%, women is approximately 49.5% of the population. The figures are another evidence that women are greatly underrepresented in the country. The heartbreaking situation has indeed been a matter of great concern for many Nigeria women in leadership and those aspiring for political positions.

Among these women is the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala  who on September 16, 2024 during an event of the Nigeria women in leadership held in Abuja, asked, “how do we improve the position of women in the country?” We have a very low percentage of women in the National Assembly and we have never had a woman governor let alone something higher.” She added that this has to change, but nobody will hand over positions to women because that they have to fight for it themselves, though the men have to support them.

Similarly, Aisha Wakaso, the special adviser on print media to governor Umar Bago of Niger state, during an annual lecture organised by Crisp Nigeria in the month of August 2024 lamented lack of female governor in any of the 36 states. She pointed out harassment, economic and cultural factors etc. as some of the challenges facing women participation in politics.

Nevertheless, it is very essential to understand that the main cause of women participation in politics is political apathy on the part of women and strong belief for patriarchy. Men are seen as more powerful and well equipped for  politics in Nigeria and Africa by extension.

The belief is part of Africa culture that women are naturally vulnerable, they are supposed to be at home and nurse babies, so they will not be able to meet up the tasks and responsibilities posed by politics which is usually regarded as tough, full of malpractices and rigging. The cultural beliefs can be further explained in the misconception that “politics is a dirty game”, therefore, men find it difficult to support the dreams of women politicians.

It is also important for Nigerians to understand that women inclusion in politics and leadership will ensure effective representation of their interests and that of the children in terms of policies and decision making.

Without doubt, as Okonjo-Iweala noted, nobody will hand it over to women. Indeed, this is the case of  “ the way you present yourself, is the way you will be addressed,” so It is high time women stand to their responsibilities and understand that for them to gain men’s support, they have to start the move.

Hence, the upcoming Edo’s governorship election is another great opportunity for women inclusion in Nigeria politics.

Key in her campaigns had emphasised human capital development, economic diversification and inclusive governance, and her success during the primary election is another evidence that she is fit and qualified for the position.

If only  her fellow women can vote her in, as her name implies, she will serve as the key that will unlock the door for more women inclusion into Nigeria’s political landscape.