In response to the upcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) convention, women’s advocacy groups have united and stated that the 4.11 percent of women represented in the committee is inappropriate and below the 35 percent gender affirmation threshold.
In response, they have urged lawmakers and executives to move quickly and view the approval of the gender-related laws that demand for additional seats in the National Assembly as an urgent concern.
The 73-member committee only had three women, which is far less than the global benchmark of 30% and Nigeria’s affirmative action target of 35%, according to civil society organizations Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), 100 Women Lobby Group, Women in Media, Safe-Point, and Care Initiative.
Ebere Ifendu, the founder of WIPF, spoke on behalf of the groups yesterday in Abuja, stating that the development goes against the APC constitution, which advocates affirmative action and inclusivity.
She cautioned that a ruling party’s commitment to inclusive governance at the national level is seriously called into doubt if it is unable to exhibit gender inclusiveness within its internal institutions.
She emphasized that the issue is not limited to the APC and called on other political parties to abide by the equality, representation, and citizenship clauses of the constitution.
She asserts that the days of political parties ignoring these demands without taking responsibility are ended.
“Gender advocacy groups have stepped up calls for express legislative and executive support for the proposed Special Seats Bill,” Ifendu stated in reference to the electoral bill, characterizing it as a democratic requirement rather than an advocacy issue.
In addition to providing a workable solution to the nation’s consistently low level of female representation in administration, she said the law is a political opportunity for Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly.
She claims that “political violence, the monetization of politics, exclusion from party structures, and a shrinking civic space are just a few of the systemic barriers that Nigerian women continue to face.”
She maintained that the only practical way to improve Nigeria’s persistently low record on women’s political involvement is through affirmative legislative intervention, which is no longer optional.
She declared, “Nigeria cannot hold elections while routinely excluding half of its population from decision-making.”
According to the NGOs, approving the measure will demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusive governance and fair representation while also bolstering Nigeria’s democracy.
Dr. Amina Obmeri of the Safe-Points and Care Initiative also spoke, describing the state of affairs as concerning and urging women in political parties to take more initiative.
Instead of waiting to voice their opinions after choices have been taken, she encouraged women to actively participate in party structures, advocate for inclusion, and comprehend internal political processes.
The organizations warned that the persistent absence of women undermines democracy and prevents girls from pursuing political careers, and they urged the APC leadership to reassess the committee list and match it with the 35% affirmative action policy.
Ahead of the general elections in 2027, they promised to keep an eye on political party operations and to call attention to any ongoing marginalization of women in party structures.
