Politics
Reps Move To Address Dearth Of Women In NASS
The House of Representatives Committee on Women in Parliament has said it would step up interventions to reverse the decline in the number of women participating in governance at the National Assembly.
According to the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Taiwo Oluga (Ayedoade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency, Osun state), this is necessary to boost the country’s chances of attaining the 35 percent affirmative action in elective and appointive offices.
Oluga said this on Monday when she spoke at a briefing jointly organised by the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), and a host of other civil society groups in Abuja.
The theme of the media parley was ‘Women’s Political Participation and Inclusion and 2023 General Elections’.
Oluga identified patriarchy, stigmatisation, illiteracy, odd meeting schedules, financing and lack of economic empowerment, cultural and religious barriers, and political violence as some of the challenges to women’s participation in politics in the country.
However, she said that the lawmakers shall forthwith step up their activities on the need to discourage the factors that discourage women political participation in Nigeria. The lawmaker added that the intervention will be backed by collaborative efforts between the legislators, development partners, civil society groups, religious and traditional institutions to remove the factors behind women’s low participation in governance.
She lamented, “Despite the advocacy and attempt by women groups and parliamentarians to have increased women participation in politics in Nigeria, not much progress seems to have been made.
“Going by the number of women, who are currently nominated by various political parties and are vying for elective offices in the forthcoming 2023 General Election, there are serious issues of concern as it seems that the figure in the current Assembly might worsen if drastic steps are not taken immediately
“Before the last primary elections, Nigeria ranked amongst the lowest number of women participation in governance in Africa, with about 6.2 percent of national Parliamentarians being women.
“For the 2023 Senate elections, out of the 1,101 candidates contesting for 109 seats, only 92 are women. Amongst the nominated candidates across all political parties for the House of Representatives election next year, 288 women are contesting out of 3,122 aspirants, depicting that the number of women participation in politics or contesting elective offices is on a steady decline since 2015.”
She also decried that Kano, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara states do not have a single female candidate nominated for federal elections next year.
According to the House of Representatives Committee Chairperson, “The implication of this is that, even before next year’s elections in the country, it is crystal clear that 13.5 percent States will not have any female member in the National Assembly.
“The above development is a huge setback in attaining 35 percent affirmative action in elective and appointive offices in Nigeria.”
Consequently, she said: “The Committee shall forthwith step up its activities on the need to discourage religious beliefs, cultural practices amongst other things that discourage women political participation in Nigeria.
“Also, efforts shall be directed to accelerate advocacy and funding of women economic and political causes.”
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.