PRESS STATEMENT
#AnambraDecides: WE CONDEMN SEXIST JOKES AND CODED LANGUAGE TOWARDS OUR CANDIDATE.
WE DON’T “AKPABIO” WOMEN IN THE AFRICAN ACTION CONGRESS (AAC).
The National Working Committee of our great party has observed in the last 24 hours, how our candidate in the forthcoming Anambra governorship elections, Comrade Chioma Ifemeludike, a vibrant and ideologically-clear woman is being judged by her outfit choice and physical features, rather than the quality of her ideas.
We are not surprised by the unleashing of these backward ideas as we know that they are what the society has allowed over the years and crushing these ideas is the reason our party was established.
The conversation around Comrade Chioma‘s appearance exposes how deeply patriarchy still shapes our political culture.
Instead of engaging with her plans for governance, some people have chosen to police her looks. The sexist jokes remain condemned but are not surprising because even the National Assembly; a supposed model of national representation has become a house of sexist jokes. Examples of such show of shame are when Bianca Ojukwu appeared before the Senate for confirmation as Minister and the unpleasant treatment of Senator Natasha Akpoti. Unlike your conventional parties, we don’t “Akpabio” women in our party.
Senate President Akpabio Wants Sex With Me, Senator Natasha Akpoti Alleges
It is an unfortunate fact that women in politics face double the scrutiny: they must prove their competence while also meeting society’s constantly shifting expectations of “acceptable” femininity and womanhood.
This isn’t just unfair. We consider it a distraction from the real issues that matter.
When we reduce a female candidate to her body or her clothing, we silence her vision and reinforce the message that women’s worth is tied to their physical appearance, not ability.
Nigeria, and indeed the world –deserves better.
Voters must reject the sexist jokes, the mockery, and the coded language that aim to shrink women out of political spaces. The future we want is one where leaders are judged by their policies, not their looks; their work ethic, not their wardrobe. Supporting women in politics isn’t charity, it’s democracy in its truest form.
Support the AAC in the forthcoming elections. Vote for Chioma Ifemeludike for good governance beyond Soludo’s theatrics.
Signed:
Femi Adeyeye
National Publicity Secretary
African Action Congress
29/10/2025
