Muhammad Nami, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Niger State, has called for urgent measures to protect rural women from insecurity, displacement and economic hardship, urging authorities to prioritise their safety, livelihoods and welfare.
Nami made the call in a statement issued on Thursday to mark the 2026 International Day of Rural Women, expressing concern over the impact of violent attacks, kidnappings and killings on rural communities across the state.
According to the statement signed by the Nami Media Directorate, figures attributed to the Niger State Government indicate that more than 300,000 people have been displaced across 10 local government areas.
Nami said rural women and children were among those most affected, with many women losing access to their farms, businesses and other sources of income.
He noted that displacement had exposed affected families to food insecurity, disrupted children's education, limited access to healthcare and increased vulnerability to gender-based violence.
The PDP candidate said protecting rural women was essential to restoring food security, strengthening family welfare and supporting economic development across Niger State.
He called for a security framework focused on protecting rural settlements and farming communities, rescuing abducted persons and restoring peace to areas affected by banditry and terrorism.
Nami also proposed measures to support displaced families, including humanitarian assistance, the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and the safe, voluntary return of displaced persons when security conditions permit.
His proposals further include providing farmers with access to land, seeds, fertilisers, farming equipment and financial assistance to help restore agricultural production.
He also advocated economic empowerment programmes for rural women through agricultural cooperatives, affordable credit, vocational training and support for small businesses.
On governance, Nami called for greater participation of rural women in decisions concerning their security, resettlement and economic recovery. He also urged authorities to ensure transparency in the use of public funds allocated to support affected communities.
The PDP candidate stressed that host communities accommodating displaced families should also receive adequate assistance to reduce pressure on their limited resources.
He said his vision for Niger State included ensuring that women could farm, trade, access healthcare and send their children to school without fear of attacks or abduction.
Nami commended rural women for their resilience amid insecurity and displacement, saying their safety, dignity and economic wellbeing should remain priorities in efforts to restore peace and rebuild affected communities.
The International Day of Rural Women is observed annually on October 15 to recognise the contributions of rural women to agriculture, food security and community development.
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