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Special Report: Women’s Political Participation in Nigeria Hits an Alarming Low Amid Systemic Marginalization

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa, Nigerian Tracker Correspondent

The steady decline of women’s representation in Nigeria’s political landscape has reached a critical point, raising concerns over systemic marginalization and gender disparity in governance.

An analysis of the 2023 general elections reveals a stark underrepresentation of women in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Only four women secured senatorial seats out of 109, while just 15 were elected to the House of Representatives out of 360.

The four female senators include:

Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe (Labour Party, FCT)

Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Peoples Democratic Party, Rivers West)

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Peoples Democratic Party, Kogi Central)

Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule (All Progressives Congress, Lagos West)

Notably, the number only rose to four after a court ruling reinstated Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had initially been excluded. This marks a decline from the 9th Assembly, where eight women held senatorial seats—a reduction of four.

No Female Governors, Limited Executive Presence

The situation is even more dire in the executive branch, where no woman currently serves as governor. The closest attempt was in Adamawa State, where Aishatu Binani’s bid was ultimately unsuccessful. While women occasionally feature in ministerial appointments, their presence remains minimal compared to their male counterparts.

Experts Weigh In on the Crisis

Public affairs analyst Dr. Muttaqa Yushau Abdulrauf attributes the decline to multiple factors, including financial barriers and entrenched patriarchal norms.

“It is quite unfortunate that women, who constitute a significant portion of voters and the general population, remain grossly underrepresented in elected offices,” he said. “This has been the trend since 1999.”

He identified two key obstacles:

Financial Constraints – Many women cannot afford the high cost of nomination forms for political offices.

Cultural Bias – Deep-seated patriarchy perpetuates the notion that women are unfit for leadership roles.

Dr. Rofiat Adedokun Highlights Gender Marginalization Beyond Politics

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Dr. Rofiat Adedokun, a lecturer in the Department of Banking and Finance at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has stated that women face marginalization not only in politics but across nearly all aspects of society.

She emphasized that gender stereotypes persist in workplaces worldwide, citing the common perception that secretarial roles are exclusively for women. “This should not be the case,” she asserted.

“Both men and women should be given equal opportunities for the sake of equity. That is how it ought to be,” Dr. Adedokun added.

A Call for Affirmative Action

To reverse the trend, Dr. Abdulrauf advocates for reserved seats for women in political parties. “An affirmative action mandating a quota for women in party candidacies would significantly boost their participation,” he emphasized.

On the other hand, Dr. Rofiat was asked about potential solutions, she identified sensitization as the most effective approach to combat such marginalization, particularly from the perspective of women.

Additionally, she also advocated for affirmative measures, such as reserving seats for women in political contests. However, she cautioned, “The reservation of seats must not be limited to specific political offices, as that could lead to another form of stereotyping.”

Dr. Adedokun’s remarks underscore ongoing discussions about gender equality and the need for systemic change to ensure fair representation in all sectors.

Views From The Street Of Nigeria

On the street of Nigeria, Kaduna State, Zaria to be precise, more views concerning the subject matter were sought and the following are the responses gathered:

Fatima Tijani Bintu who is a final year student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is of the same view that there has been an injustice concerning the marginalization of women in Nigerian politics. In her statement, she said, “the dominance of men over women in Nigerian politics is not necessarily a reflection of an inherent ability but rather as a result of a structural and systemic barriers that women face.”

“This opinion is largely supported by empirical evidence globally,” she asserted.

Responding to what could be the cause of such phenomenon, Fatima added that, “societal norms and stereotype are the major cause of such disturbing development.”

In her bid to proffer solutions to the end of the marginalization, she noted that quota system implementation and mentorship programs to giude and support aspiring female politicians are key.

But in a stark contrast to the views aforementioned, a National Youth Service Corp member, Rahmatullah Ahmad, opined that women should not lead. In her words, “women are inherently caregivers and not leaders.”

“Leadership is a very delicate responsibility that must not be merged with emotions–which women are known for,” she asserted.

Substantiating her view, she referenced the drama that ensued between the suspended Senator Natasha and the senate president Akpabio–noting that if she hadn’t been elected into the chambers, such allegation wouldn’t have come up in the first place.

However, as Nigeria’s political landscape remains overwhelmingly male-dominated, the question persists: Will concrete measures be taken to ensure gender equity, or will women’s representation continue to dwindle?

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Just In:Governor Yusuf  Sacks Head of Service 

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Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has relieved the State Head of Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, of his appointment with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Tuesday evening.

The decision is part of the ongoing efforts by the present administration to reposition the state civil service for greater efficiency, discipline, and improved service delivery across all government institutions.

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Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the outgoing Head of Service for his contributions and dedication to the service of Kano State during his tenure.

“We wish him the best in his future endeavours and pray for his continued success in all aspects of life.”

The Governor also directed that Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu Maimota, the Permanent Secretary, Admin and General Services at the Cabinet Office, to serve in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Head of Service.

By this announcement, the outgoing Head of Service is directed to handover the affairs of the office to the Ag. Head of Service latest tomorrow, Wednesday 11th March, 2026

 

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Table Water Producers Increase New Price for Sachet Water in Kano

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The Kano State Chapter of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) has officially announced an upward review of the price of sachet water (popularly known as “pure water”) across the state.

This decision is a direct response to the unsustainable surge in the cost of production materials.

In a statement representing the association, it was disclosed that the price of a bag of sachet water, which was previously sold at N220, has now been adjusted to a minimum of 300 Naira.

This adjustment is necessary to prevent the collapse of the industry, as the cost of essential production materials has increased by two-thirds.

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The association highlighted several critical economic challenges, including:

– Printing Film: The price has risen to 3,700 Naira.
– Gas/Fuel: Prices have reached 1,500 Naira per liter.
– Power Supply: The lack of stable electricity has forced factories to rely entirely on expensive generator power.

Despite these financial pressures, the Chairman, Alhaji Ahmad Bala Hudu, has issued a stern warning to all producers against compromising water quality.

The association emphasizes that:
– Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems and water purification standards must be strictly maintained.
– The association is working in collaboration with health authorities to inspect factories.
– Any producer found bypassing health standards will be handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

The association appeals to the public for understanding and patience during this period, particularly as we are in the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement issued to newsmen, Anas Idris Hassan, the Public Relations Officer of the association, said the price review is a last-resort measure to ensure that safe drinking water remains available in the state.

 

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Governor Dauda Lawal Defects to APC After Stakeholder Consultations

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The Zamfara State Government has announced that Governor Dauda Lawal has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following what officials described as “extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state.” This was contained in a statement signed by Nuhu Salihu Anka, Director General, Media and Communication, Office of the Governor.

According to the statement, Governor Lawal’s decision was driven by the overriding interest of stability, progress, and sustainable development in Zamfara State. “After careful consideration, His Excellency has decided to formally defect to the APC,” Anka said, noting that the move followed prolonged internal crises within the PDP at both national and state levels.

The government explained that unresolved leadership disagreements and structural challenges in the PDP had created uncertainty and distractions that threatened effective governance. “These challenges have continued to hinder the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State,” the statement emphasized.

Governor Lawal reiterated that his primary responsibility remains the peace, security, and development of Zamfara State. “It became necessary to align with a political platform that provides greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the Federal Government,” Anka quoted the governor as saying.

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The statement further revealed that the final deliberation leading to the defection was held at the Government House in Gusau, under the coordination of the Deputy Governor, alongside senior government officials and key political stakeholders. “This was a collective decision reached after wide consultations,” Anka explained.

Governor Lawal expressed appreciation to PDP members and supporters for their cooperation over the years. However, he noted that the prevailing political realities and unresolved crises within the party made it necessary to take what he described as “a bold step in the interest of good governance and the future of Zamfara State.”

By joining the APC, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring that Zamfara State benefits fully from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government. “This is a new political phase aimed at promoting unity, stability, and development,” Anka stated.

The government therefore called on citizens, political leaders, party supporters, and stakeholders to remain calm and supportive. “We urge everyone to embrace this transition peacefully as Zamfara enters a new chapter of political cooperation and progress,”

 

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