Outcry Over 4.11% Women Representation in APC Convention Committee

Collectively, women’s advocacy groups have stated at the upcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) convention that the 4.11 percent of women represented in the committee is inappropriate and below the gender affirmation threshold of 35 percent.

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

Concerns about the inclusion of only three women in the 73-member committee were raised by the Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), 100 Women Lobby Group, Women in Media, Safe-Point, and Care Initiative, and other civil society organizations. They stated that this number is significantly below both Nigeria’s affirmative action target of 35% and the global benchmark of 30%.

The development is in conflict with the APC constitution, which upholds affirmative action and inclusiveness, according to WIPF Founder Ebere Ifendu, who spoke on behalf of the groups yesterday in Abuja.

The ruling party’s commitment to inclusive government at the national level is seriously called into question, she cautioned, if it does not exhibit gender inclusion in its internal structures.

Insisting that all political parties adhere to the constitution’s principles on equality, representation, and citizenship, she emphasized that the issue is not limited to the APC.

The days of political parties ignoring these requirements without being held accountable are ended, she says.

When discussing the electoral law, Ifendu stated that female advocacy groups have stepped up their calls for clear legislative and executive support for the Special Seats law, seeing it as a democratic requirement rather than an advocacy issue.

According to her, the legislation is a viable solution to improve Nigeria’s historically low level of female representation in governance and is a political opportunity for the country’s 10th National Assembly.

“Nigerian women have continued to face systemic barriers, such as diminished civic space, exclusion from party structures, political violence, and the monetization of politics,” she said.

She maintained that affirmative legislative action is now required and emphasized that it is still the only practical way to improve Nigeria’s persistently low record of female political involvement.

She declared, “Nigeria cannot systematically exclude half of its population from decision-making while still holding elections.”

In addition to bolstering Nigeria’s democracy, the groups said that approving the law would demonstrate a strong commitment to equitable representation and inclusive governance.

The Safe-Points and Care Initiative’s Dr. Amina Obmeri also spoke, describing the situation as concerning and urging women in political parties to take more initiative.

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

The groups warned that the persistent absence of women undermines democracy and prevents girls from pursuing political careers, and they urged the APC leadership to examine the committee list and match it with the 35% affirmative action policy.

Prior to 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.