Politics
Women In Politics: Removing All The Barriers
This is a paper presented by Deborah Effiong at a workshop for “Women in Politics” in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Women’s participation in politics has been identified as a key strategy to accelerate development and empowerment in any country or region. It is therefore not a surprise that the last decade has witnessed various attempts by different countries around the world to tackle the under representation of women in politics.
Women’s participation in politics involves a wide range of actions and strategies which include voter and civic education, lobbying and negotiation skills, media engagements, violence management, leadership training, fundraising and public life skills training.
Prior to now, the role of women in politics was often that of praise- singers, fundraisers, party supporters and mobilisers. The unfavourable political terrain characterised by thuggery, money politics and entrenched patriarchial attitudes have served as a basis for discouragement of many women from participating in politics.
Party programmes and manifestos do not articulate women’s issues, rather women’s wing in political parties are crated without constitutional backing. It is expected that as the political space is getting liberalised due to sensitisation and awareness of female candidature, women’s issues will be given constitutional support by the various political parties.
Women’s political and electoral experiences from 1999 – till date
Research has shown that from 1999 till date women’s political experiences have been distressing. At all levels of Nigeria’s three tiers of government (Executive, Legislature, Judiciary) the issue of women marginalisation and discrimination have continued to persist. In many situations portfolios given to women often reflect the conservative definitions of women’s roles in society. Women are often assigned to Ministry of Women Affairs, Information, Culture/Tourism and Education, none of which can be described as very strategic ministries in terms of their level of influence within the government.
Women’s electoral experiences are nothing different and in many cases wose off. Records show that in 1999 in the South-South 2 women were elected into the Federal House and the entire South-South no woman won elections into the state Houses of assemblies.
2003 – Federal House – 5, House of Assembly (South – South) – 4
2007 – Federal House – 3, House of Assembly (South – South) – 15
The implication of these figures is that women have less than 30% of the seats going by the 1995 Beijing Declaration which states that women should occupy at least 30% elective and appointive positions.
The situation is not different at the Local Government Council elections. Feedback from female aspirants and candidates after previous elections revealed a situation where women have become victims of structural and cultural limitations. Women narrated that the politics of money and godfatherism excluded and deprived them of their fundamental human rights of voting and to be voted for.
Women also asserted that lack of adequate mechanisms to monitor electoral outcomes and protect women’s mandate formed part of the major challenges for women in securing victory at the polls.
At the level of the United Nations there is a growing women’s global activism for increased representation of women in politics. The assessment made by United Nations Development Project (UNDP) at the last Beijing +10 review it was reported that women are still greatly under represented in political positions around the world.
To participate in the political process, women need to enjoy the full exercise of their civil and political rights. The achievement of equality between men and women is an integral part of the process leading to a genuine democracy.
Recommendations
It is clear that some of the barriers which women face in connection with their participation and gender balanced representation in political and public life are due to the structure and functioning of electoral systems and political institutions, mainly political parties. It is therefore recommended that;
*There should be urgent reforms in our electoral and political institutions aimed at promoting and supporting special measures to empower women to participate in politics.
*Government should promote public campaigns with targeted messages to raise public awareness on the importance of a gender balanced representation in decision making.
* Government should ensure the domestication of CEDAW into our legal system.
* Political parties should adopt and promote a gender balance policy within the party and the party’s structures.
* Political parties should review their selection and nomination procedures in order to remove all barriers that directly or indirectly discriminate against it.
In conclusion, International instruments such as the Beijing Platform for Action, CEDAW, Optional Protocol and the National Gender Policy should be maximised and strategies to implement them such as advocacy, policy reforms, special measures and affirmative actions should be explored.
Deborah Effiong is of the Gender and Development Action (GADA), Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs.
Deborah Effiong
The state chairman of the party, Dr Babandi Gumel, disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to journalists on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Jigawa PDP received news of Alhaji Lamido’s suspension with “profound shock and disappointment”.
The statement added that the suspension, which was reportedly based on allegations that Alhaji Lamido attended meetings capable of undermining party unity, amounts to an affront to justice, internal democracy and the reconciliation efforts recently championed by the PDP leadership.
The party stressed that the exercise of legal and constitutional rights within the party should not be interpreted as an act of disunity. It recalled that Alhaji Lamido approached the court after he was allegedly denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest the position of National Chairman of the PDP.
The statement further noted that the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ruled in Alhaji Lamido’s favour by restraining the PDP from proceeding with its national convention until his right to contest was determined.
The Jigawa PDP argued that the suspension appeared to be a punitive action against Alhaji Lamido for seeking judicial redress over an issue on which the court had already found merit.
The party also faulted the decision of the BoT for contradicting recent public statements by its chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who had emphasised reconciliation within the party, admitted past mistakes and appealed to aggrieved members to return fully to the PDP fold.
However, it maintained that suspending a founding member who sought justice through legal means runs contrary to the spirit of reconciliation and healing publicly advocated by the party leadership.
The chairman said the suspension was premature and prejudicial, as the matter remains before the courts. He also described Alhaji Lamido as one of the few founding fathers of the PDP who has remained loyal to the party without defecting, warning that punishing such loyalty sends a negative signal to other committed members.
The party further argued that the action undermines party unity at a time when the PDP requires cohesion to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It also insisted that there is no provision in the PDP constitution that allows for the suspension of a “life member”.
The party called on the BoT to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the suspension of Alhaji Lamido.
It also demanded that the BoT publicly affirm the right of all party members to aspire to leadership positions in line with the party’s constitution and the laws of the country, without fear of victimisation.
It further urged the BoT to retrace its steps, align its actions with its reconciliation agenda, and tender an apology to Alhaji Lamido.
The Jigawa PDP reaffirmed its commitment to a united, democratic and law-abiding Party.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC warned that if proven, such actions would amount to a serious breach of constitutional order, legislative integrity, and public trust.
The organisation noted that Nigeria’s law-making process is clearly defined by the Constitution, stressing that any alteration of a bill after parliamentary passage undermines democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.
CISLAC further emphasised that taxation has direct implications for citizens, businesses, sub-national governments, and the overall economy. It stated that uncertainty or a lack of transparency in tax legislation could erode investor confidence and raise concerns about accountability and the possible abuse of executive power.
The organisation described the situation as particularly troubling given the rare inclusive, and thorough public consultation that shaped the law’s final provisions prior to its passage.
“This process brought together taxpayers, civil society groups, professional organisations, the private sector, labour unions, local governments, and technical experts, ensuring that diverse viewpoints were considered and carefully balanced.
“Any unilateral changes to these agreed-upon provisions, made outside the established legislative process and without renewed public engagement, not only breach public trust but also violate the fundamental tax principle of representation, which holds that citizens must have a meaningful voice in shaping the laws that govern how they are taxed. Such actions undermine democratic accountability, weaken the legitimacy of the tax system, and risk eroding public confidence”, it noted.
CISLAC expressed particular concern that uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of the tax law, coming at a time when a new tax regime is expected to take effect, could exacerbate the economic hardship already faced by many Nigerians.
It observed that citizens are contending with rising living costs, inflationary pressures, declining purchasing power, and reduced access to basic services, warning that implementing a disputed tax framework under such conditions, risks deepening inequality, discouraging compliance, and fuelling public resentment.
The organisation stressed that tax reforms must be anchored in clarity, legality, fairness, and social sensitivity, cautioning that any tax system introduced without full transparency, adequate public communication, and legislative certainty undermines voluntary compliance and weakens the social contract between the state and its citizens.
As part of its recommendations, CISLAC called on the Presidency to urgently publish the exact version of the tax law assented to, alongside the authenticated copy passed by the National Assembly, to allow for public and institutional verification.
It also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to promptly exercise its oversight powers to determine whether the assented law reflects the will of the legislature, including a review of the enrolled bill process.
The organisation maintained that any discrepancy discovered should be treated as unconstitutional and addressed through lawful means, such as the re-transmission of the correct bill or judicial interpretation where necessary. It further called for an independent review of the process by relevant institutions, including the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and, where required, the judiciary, to establish the facts and assign responsibility.
CISLAC noted that the controversy highlights the urgent need to strengthen safeguards at the legislative and executive interface. It recommended measures such as digital tracking of bills, public access to enrolled legislation, and more transparent assent procedures.
CISLAC emphasised that the issue is not about partisan politics but about safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. It warned that allowing any arm of government to unilaterally alter laws passed by another sets a dangerous precedent and weakens constitutional democracy.
The organisation urged all parties involved to act with restraint, openness, and fidelity to the Constitution, noting that Nigerians deserve laws that reflect due process, the public interest, and the collective decisions of their elected representatives.
CISLAC added that it will continue to monitor developments and engage relevant stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s governance processes.
