Women for 35% Demands Immediate Reinstatement of Alice Tangi Allen
By Women for 35% | August 26, 2026
Women Stand for Justice, Democracy and Political Representation
Women for 35% has joined civil society organisations, women’s groups and activists in demanding the immediate reinstatement of Hon. Alice Tangi Allen as Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The groups gathered in Abuja on 25th of August 2026 to call attention to what they described as an attack on democracy, the rule of law and women’s participation in political leadership.
Members of the Aju Morgan Elumelu Foundation (AMEF) took part in the protest under the Women for 35% initiative.
The protesters carried messages calling for respect for the people’s mandate and an end to political intimidation.
Their message was simple:
When a woman wins an election, her mandate must be respected.
A Mandate Must Be Protected
Alice Tangi Allen was the only elected female local government chairman in Bayelsa State.
She was also the second woman to hold the position in the history of the state.
Her removal has therefore raised serious concerns about the place of women in political leadership.
Women for 35% believes that women must not only be encouraged to contest elections. They must also be protected when they win.
Political participation means little if elected women can be removed because of political pressure.
Women must be able to serve the people who elected them without fear.
This Is Bigger Than One Woman
The campaign for Alice Tangi Allen is not about party politics.
It is about democratic principles.
It is about the right of citizens to choose their leaders.
It is about the right of elected officials to serve their full mandate.
It is also about creating a political environment where women can participate without intimidation.
At the Abuja protest, the CEO of the Aju Morgan Elumelu Foundation, Amb. Aju Elumelu, stressed that the campaign was about protecting women’s right to meaningful political participation.
She called for due process if there are allegations against any elected official.
She also warned against using security agencies to intimidate elected leaders.
“Security agencies should protect democracy, not become instruments of political intimidation.”
Women Must Not Be Punished for Their Political Choices
Concerns have also been raised over reports that Allen was pressured to leave her political party.
Allen has stated that she was removed because she refused to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party following political changes in Bayelsa State.
She said her removal was not based on any crime or wrongdoing.
According to her, the issue was her refusal to defect to another political party.
These allegations deserve proper investigation.
No elected official should lose an electoral mandate because of political pressure.
If there are legitimate allegations against an elected official, they should be addressed through due process and the law.
That principle must apply to everyone.
Respect the Rule of Law
Women for 35% is also concerned by the reported removal of Allen despite a court order.
The rule of law is one of the foundations of democracy.
Court orders must be respected.
Political disagreements must be resolved through lawful and democratic processes.
Security forces must also remain neutral and must never become tools for political intimidation.
A healthy democracy depends on institutions that protect citizens and uphold the law.
Women for 35% Will Continue to Speak
Women for 35% was created to advance greater representation for women in leadership and decision-making.
The campaign believes that women deserve a stronger voice in government, politics and public life.
That means standing up when women’s political rights are threatened.
The situation involving Alice Tangi Allen is a reminder of why the fight for women’s political representation cannot stop at election day.
Women need access to political spaces.
They need fair opportunities to contest.
They need support when they win.
And they need protection from political intimidation.
Our Demand
Women for 35% joins other concerned Nigerians in calling for:
- The immediate reinstatement of Hon. Alice Tangi Allen as the elected Chairman of Sagbama LGA.
- Respect for her electoral mandate.
- Full respect for court orders and the rule of law.
- Due process in addressing any allegations against elected officials.
- An end to political intimidation.
- Greater protection for women in political leadership.
- A political system where women can serve without fear or discrimination.
The people of Sagbama exercised their democratic right when they elected their chairman.
That mandate deserves respect.
Women who win elections must be allowed to lead.
Women who serve must be protected.
And the democratic choice of the people must never be treated as disposable.
Women for 35% stands with Alice Tangi Allen.
We stand for democracy.
We stand for the rule of law.
And we stand for 35% representation for women in leadership.
