AAC CONDEMNS SEXIST ATTACKS ON ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, CHIOMA IFEMELUDIKE

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The African Action Congress (AAC) has condemned what it described as sexist jokes and coded language directed at its governorship candidate in the upcoming Anambra State elections, Chioma Ifemeludike, calling such remarks a distraction from meaningful political debate.

Ifemeludike has recently attracted widespread attention online following the release of her campaign photos and videos, which promote inclusive governance and challenge long-standing patriarchal norms in Nigerian politics.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Femi Adeyeye, the AAC expressed disappointment over the fixation on the candidate’s appearance rather than her ideas and policy proposals.

“The National Working Committee of our great party has observed in the last 24 hours how our candidate, a vibrant and ideologically clear woman, is being judged by her outfit choice and physical features, rather than the quality of her ideas,” the statement read.

The party said the incident reflects the deep-rooted patriarchy that continues to plague Nigerian politics, where women are often subjected to scrutiny based on appearance rather than competence.

“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,” it stated, citing the experiences of Bianca Ojukwu during her ministerial screening and Senator Natasha Akpoti’s treatment in the Senate as examples of gender bias.

The AAC lamented that women in politics face double the pressure needing to demonstrate both professional competence and conformity to society’s shifting expectations of femininity.

“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,” the statement added.

Urging voters to reject sexist narratives, the party emphasized that political discourse should be driven by ideas, integrity, and competence, not appearance.

“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,” the party said.

“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.”

The AAC concluded by rallying support for its candidate, urging voters to look beyond superficial distractions and focus on governance.

“Support the AAC in the forthcoming elections. Vote for Chioma Ifemeludike for good governance beyond Soludo’s theatrics,” the party declared.