Expressing concern over the diminishing presence of women in elected positions, Olubunmi Adelugba, former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, highlighted the ongoing efforts by non-state entities to advocate for greater participation of women in politics.
Addressing an event in Abuja, Adelugba emphasized the need for increased women’s representation in elected offices, especially in anticipation of the upcoming 2027 general elections.
In illustrating her apprehension, she pointed out that only four out of the 109 current Senators are women, with an additional 17 facing challenges in securing seats in the House of Representatives.
This concern follows remarks made five months earlier by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who advocated for the active involvement of women in reshaping the nation and combatting societal challenges affecting women.
At the launch of the women’s network, Adelugba pledged the network’s commitment to facilitating the realization of set goals as the 2027 elections draw closer.
She remarked, “The low representation of women in Nigerian politics is a pressing issue for concerned citizens, both within and outside the government. Data indicates that women’s political participation in Nigeria stands at a mere 6.7% in elective and appointive positions, significantly below global, African, and West African averages of 22.5%, 23.4%, and 15%, respectively.
“Currently, only four out of 109 Senators are women, and just 17 out of 360 House of Representatives members are women. This underrepresentation further extends to sub-national levels, where only 48 out of 988 state assembly seats are occupied by women. There are no female governors currently, with only six out of 36 deputy governors being women.”
Adelugba emphasized the necessity for networks and stakeholders to collaborate in addressing the underperformance of some female candidates in the 2023 general elections, underscoring the importance of women’s inclusion at all levels.
During the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration, the European Union delegation to Nigeria urged political parties to implement robust measures and strategies to boost women’s participation and representation in politics.