Women’s Political Contribution in the Post-colonial Nigeria

Just like the Constitutional Order within the Council and this heralded Nigeria’s liberty incorporated standard human legal rights (Section step 3 of 1960 Constitution) and you can area twenty-seven of the Structure protected independence from discrimination, female stayed marginalized. Liberty “…was only a general change in new structure out-of office proprietors and you may outside of the reputation of political system” (Nelson, 2012, p. 91).

It was apparent on the composition out of parliament in the first republic (1960–1966), with only several females select towards government parliament away from 91 senators as well as 2 as well as selected with the Eastern Household away from Assembly. Civilian laws are truncated of the military code from 1966 in order to 1979, when go out ladies was indeed subsequent ).

In the 2nd republic (1979–1983), there can be one ladies senator regarding 571 and you can 11 female regarding 445-associate Household of System. Regarding the 19 states of the federation, there have been zero women agencies at home away from Construction or within local government top (Omotola, 2007, p. 37). The following republic try truncated from the a military dictatorship in 1983. All the states complied using this directive and lots of had more than you to definitely females representative. In the early 1990’s, a few people was in fact appointed deputy Governors, particularly, Alhaja Latifat Okunu away from Lagos Condition and you can Mrs. Pamela Sadauki away from Kaduna County (Oloyede, 2016).

not, there had been no ladies users regarding the Supreme Armed forces Council or the newest after Army Ruling Council, which means people starred zero high part regarding the main bodies (Oloyede, 2016).

Women’s contribution is similarly low for the third republic. Couples women have been elected given that councilors, only one girl served because a community authorities chairperson, there are zero women governors, only one lady acquired a chair from the senatorial election during the 1982 (Mrs. Kofo Bucknor Akerele) and also partners females were opted for the Domestic regarding Agencies (Oloyede, 2016).

During this time, government entities introduced the original certified quota system and that mandated brand new Government Council of all of the says with the intention that at the least among the users was a lady

Nigeria returned to democratic rule when you look at the 1999 in addition to Composition out-of the newest Government Republic from Nigeria (1999, because the revised) provides people equivalent rights and you can ventures with regards to involvement in government. Section 14(1) says you to, “The newest Federal Republic from Nigeria is your state predicated on the guidelines out of democracy and you may personal justice.” Subsection dos goes next to declare that, “The newest involvement by the people in the authorities will likely be made certain in accordance with the terms in the Constitution.”

Similarly, section 40 of one’s Composition claims that, “Everyone else are permitted gather easily and you can relate with most other people, specifically he might form or fall under any political class, trade-union or any other association towards the protection away from his desire.” part 42 (1) brings one, “ A resident off Nigeria off a certain area, cultural category, host to supply, sex, religion otherwise political thoughts should maybe not, because of the need simply that he is such as one become exposed to the particular discrimination.”

Apart from the constitutional specifications you to definitely promote ladies’ political contribution, given that listed prior to, Nigeria is actually good signatory so you can enough global devices you to target gender inequality. Post eight of Convention towards Elimination of most of the Models away from Discrimination Facing Women (CEDAW) says you to:

County activities should take all appropriate procedures to quit discrimination up against feamales in new governmental and public longevity of the country and, in particular, will be certain that so you’re able to women towards equal terms and conditions which have boys the right:

(a) So you can vote in most elections and you can social referenda also to end up being qualified to receive election to any or all in public areas opted for bodies;