In light of the next general elections in 2027, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has redoubled its efforts to increase the presence of women in Nigerian politics through legislative action.
The council is pushing for the enactment of a crucial bill that would constitutionally reserve 74 seats in the National Assembly for women only.
The suggestion was at the center of talks at a two-day empowerment conference called “Breaking the Barriers and Shaping Positive Attitudes Towards Inclusive Politics in Nigeria” that took place in Abuja.
The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and IPAC’s Directorate of Women Affairs collaborated to organize the event, which included well-known figures advocating for political gender equality.
During the event, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, the National Chairman of IPAC, emphasized the council’s dedication to inclusive governance. In its effort to get the law approved by the National Assembly and the President, he reiterated that IPAC will not back down.
As a result, IPAC restates its demand that the National Assembly enact the bill reserving special seats for women in parliament. To promote more female involvement in politics, the measure aims to allocate 74 seats to women, according to Dr. Dantalle.
IPAC announced that it has established three specialized directorates devoted to women, youth, and persons with disabilities in order to institutionalize its inclusive approach. It is anticipated that these directorates would be essential in changing the dynamics of political parties and guaranteeing fair representation at all levels, from the local to the federal.
Dantalle emphasized that structural injustices that have prevented women from actively participating in politics for a long time must be eradicated. These obstacles consist of ingrained cultural prejudices, economic marginalization, and unequal educational opportunities.
He emphasized, “Women’s active political participation is essential to attaining inclusivity, equality, equity, and sustainable development in any democratic society.”
As part of his broader lobbying, Dantalle emphasized the significance of passing the Electoral Offenses Commission bill and cited its need to support accountable and clean elections.
In order to prosecute electoral criminals and their sponsors, the Council also calls on the National Assembly to enact the Electoral Offenses Commission bill.
IPAC suggested merging Nigeria’s election days into a single-day voting paradigm as part of a larger electoral reform. Dantalle argued that a single election day would simplify operations and save money, citing successful precedents from the US, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.
Dantalle said, “A one-day election will minimize disruption, cut costs, and solve logistical issues.”
Pauline Tallen, the previous minister of women’s affairs, presented a more extreme strategy for accelerating gender parity in the meantime. She demanded that political parties amend their constitutions to ensure that women hold at least 50% of all positions that are elected and appointed.
“I suggest that all political parties immediately alter their constitutions to provide for special seats for women as one option. Parties must to require women to hold at least 50% of appointments and elective seats, she stated.
Additionally, Tallen advocated for the implementation of the “Zebra Policy,” a gender-based nomination process that switches between male and female candidates on party platforms. She maintained that political parties must support social reform in addition to being leaders.
She went on to say that political parties must take the initiative to remove cultural and religious conventions that prevent women from participating in politics because they are essential to governance and policy direction.
Tallen made a direct reference to Nigeria’s First Couple as she wrapped up her remarks.
“The push for gender inclusion should be spearheaded by President Bola Tinubu.” Tallen pleaded with Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu to take advantage of her position to support the mainstreaming of women in Nigerian politics.
Tallen bemoaned Nigeria’s dismal record for female political representation worldwide. She pointed out that the nation lags well behind countries like Rwanda, where women hold 64% of the legislature, with only 4.2% of seats in the National Assembly currently occupied by women.
Nigeria, the Giant of Africa, needs to lead the way in eradicating gender prejudice in politics and mainstreaming gender equality, she stated.
