Nigeria’s democracy under threat –Women’s groups

•Decry special seats bill’s delay, APC’s gender gap, electoral reforms

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

A coalition of women’s rights and democracy advocacy groups, including the Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), 100 Women Lobby Group, Women in Media and Safe Point and Care Initiative, has expressed concern over the recent political developments that expose the widening gap between the country’s democratic commitments and actual practice.

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, Ebere Ifendu, who spoke for members of the coalition, said the groups would zero in on three pivotal issues, including the Special Seats Bill, the APC National Convention Committee list and the Senate-passed Electoral Act Amendment bill, stressing that they present a defining test of Nigeria’s sincerity on inclusion, representation and democratic reform.”

On the Special Seats Bill, they said: “We unequivocally call for express legislative and executive support. The bill has moved beyond advocacy; it is now a democratic necessity and a political win for Nigeria’s 10th Assembly and all her actors.” Highlighting barriers like political violence, the monetisation of politics, exclusion from party structures and shrinking civic space, they said: “Affirmative legislative intervention is no longer optional; it is the only realistic path to reversing Nigeria’s consistently abysmal record on women’s political representation.”

The coalition stressed that Nigeria cannot continue to hold elections while systematically excluding half of its population from decision-making. “The Special Seats Bill offers a constitutionally grounded, non-disruptive solution that expands representation without displacing incumbents.”

Speaking on the APC’s National Convention Committee, with only three women out of 73 members, representing a mere 4.11 percent, the coalition said the list exposes a deeply troubling gender deficit.

“This is deeply troubling. The APC, as the ruling party, explicitly affirms inclusion and affirmative action principles in its constitution. Yet, by failing to meet even the minimum 30 percent benchmark for global women’s representation and 35 percent national, the party undermines the very principles it claims to uphold,” the groups charge.d

They warned: “A ruling party that cannot demonstrate basic gender inclusion within its highest internal structures raises serious questions about its readiness to advance inclusive governance nationally. This contradiction weakens public trust and reinforces the perception that women’s inclusion is treated as symbolic rather than substantive. Leadership must begin at home.”

Speaking on electoral bill reforms, the coalition said it fell short on transparency.

Praising the reform push, the advocates nonetheless decried changes to electronic transmission, saying, “We express strong concern over provisions that weaken the mandatory electronic transmission of results from polling units to the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) Portal. Electronic transmission has become one of the most important safeguards for transparency, public confidence and electoral integrity. Any rollback, explicit or implied, creates room for manipulation, heightens post-election disputes and undermines trust in the electoral process.”

They said” “We, therefore, urge the National Assembly to reverse this provision and fully restore mandatory electronic transmission of results as a non-negotiable pillar of credible elections.”

They also condemned the culture of silence among women politicians, across party divide, on the current political manoeuvring in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections and urged them to provide political leadership.

The coalition added, “Nigeria stands at a crossroad. Democratic credibility cannot coexist with systemic exclusion. Political parties, legislature and the executive arm must move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate commitment through action.

They equally warned that a democracy that excludes women is not merely incomplete but unstable, unjust and unsustainable. “Nigeria must choose inclusion, not convenience; reform, not retreat. The time to act is now.”