Low Women Representation in APC Convention Committee Condemned as Unacceptable

Women’s advocacy organizations have united in their condemnation of the upcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) convention, stating that the 4.11 percent female participation in the committee is inappropriate and below the 35 percent gender affirmation threshold.

They have urged lawmakers and executives to move quickly in response to this and view the approval of the gender laws that demand for additional seats in the National Assembly as an urgent priority.

The inclusion of only three women in the 73-member committee, according to the Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), 100 Women Lobby Group, Women in Media, Safe-Point, and Care Initiative, and other civil society organizations, is concerning because it is significantly less than the global benchmark of 30% and Nigeria’s affirmative action target of 35%.

Yesterday in Abuja, WIPF Founder Ebere Ifendu spoke on behalf of the groups, stating that the development goes against the APC constitution, which advocates affirmative action and inclusivity.

At the national level, she cautioned, a ruling party’s commitment to inclusive governance is seriously called into doubt if it is unable to exhibit female inclusiveness in its own structures.

She urged all political parties to adhere to the constitution’s guarantees on equality, representation, and citizenship, emphasizing that the issue goes beyond the APC.

The day when political parties disregarded these demands without taking responsibility, she said, is over.

Speaking on the electoral law, Ifendu stated that the female advocacy groups have stepped up their appeals for the proposed Special Seats law to receive explicit legislative and executive support. They characterize the measure as a democratic requirement rather than a matter of advocacy.

She added that the legislation offers a realistic solution to improve Nigeria’s consistently low level of women’s representation in governance and that it represents a political opportunity for the country’s 10th National Assembly.

“Systemic barriers, such as political violence, the monetization of politics, exclusion from party structures, and a shrinking civic space, have continued to affect Nigerian women,” she said.

Affirmative legislative intervention, she maintained, is no longer an option and is still the only practical way to improve Nigeria’s persistently low record on women’s political involvement.

“Nigeria cannot hold elections while routinely denying half of its people a voice in decision-making,” she stated.

The groups said that approving the bill would demonstrate a strong commitment to equal representation and inclusive governance while also bolstering Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking as well, Dr. Amina Obmeri of the Safe-Points and Care Initiative called on women in political parties to take greater initiative and called the situation concerning.

Instead of waiting until decisions have been made to speak out, she encouraged women to actively participate in party structures, advocate for inclusion, and comprehend internal political processes.

The organizations said that continuing to exclude women undermines democracy and denies girls a chance to participate in politics, and they urged APC leadership to examine the committee list and match it with the 35% affirmative action policy.

They promised to keep an eye on political party operations before the general elections in 2027 and to call attention to any ongoing exclusion of women from party structures.