BWI-RHA DG declares nationwide women’s support as Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlights 10 million votes at national prayer gathering in Abuja
By Chioma Vivian James | Abuja
The Director-General of the Business Women Initiative for Renewed Hope Agenda (BWI-RHA), Dr Ngozi Oyewole, has declared that women across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas are increasingly uniting behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Oyewole said organised women across the country were prepared to remain actively involved in the political process, expressing confidence that Tinubu deserved another term to consolidate his administration’s programmes and ongoing initiatives.
She made the remarks during a national prayer gathering organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN) on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Abuja.
The gathering, themed “Power of 10 Million National Christian Prayers,” brought together women from different organisations and backgrounds to pray for national unity, peaceful coexistence, improved security and successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described women as major stakeholders in the forthcoming elections, citing their collective voting strength of more than 10 million votes.
She urged women to unite and mobilise in support of Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, while emphasising the importance of protecting their votes and ensuring they were properly counted.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also highlighted the administration’s commitment to women’s development through budgetary allocations and programmes aimed at improving their welfare and economic opportunities.
The prayer session was anchored by Senator (Pastor) Binta Masi Gambo, who led prayers for Nigeria, its leaders and the successful conduct of the 2027 elections.
In her exhortation, Bishop Sally Williams drew inspiration from biblical passages, including Psalm 51, 1 Chronicles 7:14, 1 Timothy 2:1–3, Isaiah 54:1–7, Psalm 68:1 and Psalm 95:6, focusing on repentance, national restoration, divine guidance and responsible leadership.
Other prayer leaders included Her Eminence General Lady Superintendent Dr Elizabeth A. Akinadewo, Ambassador Dr Rhoda Godwill Johota and Ambassador Elizabeth Abuk. Their prayers centred on national unity, peace, security and wisdom for those in positions of authority.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Princess Jummai Idonije, opened the session with worship and expressed hope that the initiative would become a sustained platform for praying for Nigeria and its leadership.
The Director-General of the Centre, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, also led a worship rendition and offered the closing prayer. She called on Nigerian women to support Tinubu and remain actively engaged in the political process ahead of the 2027 elections.
Participants prayed for an end to insecurity, lasting peace in troubled communities and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political differences.
The gathering highlighted the intersection of faith, women’s empowerment and political participation, with calls for sustained prayers, responsible leadership and active engagement in the electoral process as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
