Constitution Review to Address Gender Imbalance in Nigerian Politics

Women Inclusion in Politics, organized by Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC), Yiaga Africa, Nigeria Women Trust Fund, ElectHer, and the European Union (EU) in Abuja, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu, expressed his assurance that the ongoing constitution review by the 10th National Assembly will address the issue of gender imbalance in the country.

Kalu, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, emphasized that countries like Rwanda have implemented constitutional provisions mandating at least 30% of parliamentary seats be reserved for women.

This has resulted in women now holding an unparalleled 61.3% of seats in the lower House of parliament in Rwanda.

In contrast, Nigeria’s National Assembly has only 4% of women holding seats in the House of Representatives and 3.6 percent in the Senate.

The Deputy Speaker stressed that reservation of seats and adoption of electoral quotas for women would greatly increase the ranking of Nigeria among the comity of nations.

He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aware of the situation and is in support of addressing the gender imbalance in Nigerian politics.

Kalu highlighted the President’s own experience in the Parliament, as well as the presence of other key members of the current administration who have been in the Parliament.

He also mentioned the support of the President’s wife in her political endeavors and the fact that other members of the House of Representatives are also supporting their wives to be in the Parliament.

The ongoing Constitution Review and the ‘body language’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are strong indicators that the inclusion of Nigerian women in politics will be realized.