A coalition of women’s rights and democracy advocacy groups has raised concerns over political exclusion that exposes the gap between Nigeria’s democratic commitments and actual practice, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition, comprising Women in Politics Forum, WIPF, 100 Women Lobby Group, Women in Media, Safe Point and Care Initiative, and other advocacy groups, expressed the concern at a news briefing yesterday in Abuja.
Mrs Ebere Ifendu, who spoke on behalf of the consortium, noted that the gender imbalance in the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Convention Committee and the slow pace on the Special Seats Bill, while also expressing concern over recent amendments to the Electoral Act.
Ifendu said that the three developments, taken together, constituted a critical test of Nigeria’s commitment to inclusion, representation and democratic reform.
“Nigeria stands at a crossroads. Democratic credibility cannot coexist with systemic exclusion.
“Political parties, the legislature and the executive arms must move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate commitment through action”,she said.
Ifendu called for urgent legislative and executive support for the special seats bill, describing it as “a democratic necessity” capable of addressing persistent barriers faced by women in politics, political violence, monetisation of politics and exclusion from party structures.
She urged the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of the bill and called on President Bola Tinubu to publicly commit to assenting to the bill once passed.
Ifendu also argued that women’s political exclusion had become structural, driven by political violence, monetisation of the process, weak party support and shrinking civic space.
