Ginika Tor, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has argued that the introduction of reserved legislative seats is essential to address the long-standing marginalisation of women in Nigerian politics.
Speaking on the current state of gender representation, Tor noted that the number of women occupying elective legislative positions remains inadequate. She stated that these figures fall significantly short of the 35 per cent affirmative action target established in national policy to ensure gender inclusivity in governance.
Tor’s claim that reserved seats will address years of women’s marginalisation comes at a time when political parties are facing increased scrutiny over their capacity to implement gender-inclusive policies.
Addressing the Affirmative Action Deficit
The 35 per cent affirmative action target has long been a cornerstone of Nigeria’s National Gender Policy. However, implementing this target within the electoral framework has proven difficult. While the policy aims to encourage the inclusion of women in decision-making processes, the actual percentage of women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly remains among the lowest in the region.
In recent electoral cycles, women have faced systemic hurdles, including the high cost of nomination forms and entrenched patriarchal structures within political parties. These barriers often prevent qualified female candidates from contesting or winning seats in highly competitive political districts.
The proposal for reserved seats aims to bypass these hurdles by creating guaranteed slots for women. This mechanism, utilised in several other democratic nations, ensures that women have a clear pathway to legislative influence regardless of the competitive nature of general elections.
Implementing such a measure in Nigeria would require significant constitutional reform. To introduce reserved seats, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must undergo amendment, a process that requires a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, alongside approval from two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly.
While proponents argue that reserved seats are a vital tool for social justice and balanced governance, the move requires substantial political will from the current leadership of the National Assembly. The push for these legislative changes is expected to intensify as political parties begin preparations for upcoming election cycles, with women’s advocacy groups preparing to lobby for concrete constitutional action.
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