Nineteen political parties under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) gathered in Lagos to adopt a new constitution aimed at strengthening electoral inclusivity, with a focus on increasing women and marginalized groups’ participation in politics.
The forum, themed “Increasing Representation of Women and Underrepresented Groups in Politics,” was organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) with support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).
WFD Country Director Adebowale Olorunmola described Nigeria’s position in global rankings as troubling, placing 180th with just 4% female representation in the lower house of parliament. “Rwanda tops the list with 61% representation, while several African nations, including South Africa and Senegal, have exceeded 40%,” he noted. “The question we must ask ourselves is whether Nigeria will remain stagnant by 2027, or take decisive action to change this narrative.”
He praised the shift from IPAC’s code of conduct to a constitution, describing it as a pivotal step in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic processes and fostering gender-inclusive governance.
IPAC Chairman Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle emphasized that the constitution would promote accountability, transparency, and adherence to democratic values within the council. “This evolution will enhance IPAC’s credibility, both nationally and internationally, as a democratic body committed to progress,” he added.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, represented by Lagos REC Prof. Ayobami Salami, underscored INEC’s commitment to providing a level playing field for all political actors. He commended the IPAC-WFD collaboration for its effort to deepen democracy, calling it an “exemplary commitment to inclusivity.”
The event underscored the urgent need to address Nigeria’s lagging political gender representation and the collective responsibility of stakeholders to create an equitable and inclusive political system.
