Abuja 19 December 2022 Female governorship candidates for 2023 were hosted to a media parley ahead of the 2023 general elections in Abuja on Monday 19 December. The parley had female gubernatorial candidates from across Nigeria’s geo-political zones and was organised to avail the female candidates direct access to the media selling their candidacy and why Nigerians should vote for them. Dr Ngozika Gladyns Johnson, a medical doctor and Governorship Candidate in Abia State under the Social Democratic Party Candidate (SDP) stated her plans to transform Abia State into a modern city in the areas of education, security and environmental issues. Johnson said, “for 31 years of Abia State, the men have tried their best but it is not good enough. I will transform Abia State to a modern city that all will be proud of". Funmilayo Kupoluyi Abiodun, Lagos state gubernatorial candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) highlighted road congestion, flood and poor state of schools as the major problems that she will fix as governor. Kupoluyi stated her optimism about using her wealth of experience in managing the affairs of the state and improving the education sector. Binta Umar of the Action Alliance (AA) party who is contesting for Governor of Jigawa State lamented the high rate of unemployment amongst the youths and poverty among the populace. Umar pledged to combat this menace if elected into office in 2023. Engr. Roseline Ada Chenge, Gubernatorial Candidate of Benue State of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Former General Manager of Benue State Water Board said she is “The Perfect Bridge” that will fix the security challenges in Benue state. Chenge who is contesting for the 3rd time said she will employ all resources including sophisticated and modern technology to tackle insecurity. "Benue state as the food basket of the nation under my tenure if elected will reduce food wastage and encourage local food production which in turn will enhance the standard of lives of farmers who are majorly women." Motunrayo Jaiyeola Deborah, Kwara State Gubernatorial Candidate on the platform of Alliance People’s Movement (APM) thanked Women Radio and UN Women for the opportunity to highlight her agenda stating Security, Empowerment, and focus on Persons With Disabilities as part of her cabinet will be her core mandate. Khadijah Abdullahi Iya, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) gubernatorial candidate for Niger state lamented the present state of Niger, the educational sector and the poverty level of the citizens while highlighting her core values with the acronym EARS – Empathy, Accountability, Responsibility and Service. Iya said her plans for Niger State are SERVICE- Security, Education, Rural Inclusion and Agriculture, Vital Health, Industrialization, Commerce and Trade and E-Governance. The journalists engaged the female gubernatorial candidates in an interactive session and the women expressed willingness to foster a lasting relationship with the media to give more visibility as 2023 draws closer. The female candidates expressed their gratitude to Women Radio and UNWOMEN for the opportunity to engage the media directly as this is a rare value-added opportunity that money cannot buy. The media parley was organised by Women Radio as part of the ongoing media training for media reporters and mentoring and capacity building of female candidates by WARDC to increase participation of Women in Politics ahead of 2023 in collaboration with UN Women with support from the Government of Canada. Esther Alaribe Women Radio 91.7 news@wfm917.com