The Erudite Journal of Leadership and Development (EJLD), Volume 5, No.

1 2017

GENDER DISPARARITY IN NIGERIA POLITICS:

FACTS OR VAGUE
AYENI Samson Toluwalase1 and GANIYU Afeez Ajani2
Department of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages, University of Ilorin1
Department of History and International Studies2,
University of Ilorin
toluwalase.ayeni11@gmail.com
abdulafeez2070@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The idea of equal participation of both male and female in politics as generated some degree
of concerns from active players in political amphitheater of the Nation. Scholars given the
present gender imbalance which appears to be in favour of male folks, have argued that equal
women participation in social, political and economic administration of state resources should
be given premium position in national discourse. The epicenter of this paper lies on women
and their participation in politics. This study investigated factors that affect women’s
participation in Nigerian politics. This study investigated factors that affect women's
participation in Nigerian politics. Among these factors are socio-economic factors, the
country's socio-cultural heritage, historical legacies, religious doctrine and lack of affirmative
quota. Findings from the study reveals that the Patriarchal system and male domination of the
society, which relegates women to subordinate role, has created women's inferiority complex
and alienated them from the mainstream politics in Nigeria. Consequently, the study
emphasizes on the need to proffer lasting solution to the problems.
Recommendations made includes exposure of women to right education in order to avoid
inferiority complex and give aspiring women courage and confidence to compete with the
opposite sex. Also, it was suggested that government should consciously enlighten our women
on issues regarding policies, plans and programs in public and private sectors. Religious
leaders should equally desist from expressly forbidding women from participating in politics
rather get sensitized on the importance of equal participation in politics.

Keywords: Women, Politics, Political participation, Nigeria.

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INTRODUCTION

Democracy is of different models dictated by goals. Majorly, there are two models: the popular

or direct model of democracy which Athens represents and liberal representative model for

which United States of America’s constitution is an example. The model of participatory

democracy viewed as government of the amateurs was strongly criticized and led to the

emergence of liberal model in the eighteenth century which emphasized institution. The

product of the two historical overlapping revolutions gave rise to the modern politics

characterized with government through competitively elected representative, separations

between state and economy, state and religious authorities, and between public and private

spheres. Hence, the popular definition that, Democracy is the government of the people for the

people in which law is supreme, rulers and subjects’ alike being subject to it.

The idea sets some basic principles according to which a good government, whatever its form,

must be run. Part of which is the participation of all citizens in determining through elections

and political processes, who governs them. It also relies upon the equality of all citizens under

the law (Sodaro, 2001; Anifowose, 2004). It implies that all irrespective of gender or ethnic

colouration should be actively involved political processes (including voting and

representation) of any nation. Hence, women’s low political participation is a universal

phenomenon (Lewu, 2005; Rai, 2005; Pokam, 2006).

According to the report of the 2006 Census, women constitute 48.78% of the national

population yet this numerical strength of women does not automatically translate to increase in

women’s participation in political activities in the country (Kukah, 2003:162; Abdu, 2003;

Nigeria CEDAW NGO Coalition Shadow Report, 2008). Throughout the world, the power

relations that shape social, political, economic and cultural life prevent women from

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participating fully in all areas of their lives, whether it’s in the home, or in the public arena

(Awe, 1992; Waylen, 1996; Nwankwo, 1996, Unumeri, 2003, Abdu, 2003, Johnson, 2003).

According to Akioyede-Afolabi (2003), the global average representation of women in national

politics is 5%. While women’s dedicated efforts to challenge the status quo have allowed more

women to reach positions of power in recent years, women continue to be under-represented

in all areas of decision-making, such as religion, the media, culture and the law and still face

significant barriers to their full and equal participation in the structures and institutions which

govern their lives (Omotola, 2007; Ajayi, 2007; The Nigeria CEDAW NGO Coalition Shadow

Report, 2008; Genevieve, 1999).

The first ever women rights convention which had more than one hundred women in attendance

was held in 1948 at Seneca falls, New York at the instance of women like Lacretia Moth and

Elizabeth Candy Stanton. The group demanded equal rights, including voting right and an end

to double standard. New Zealand was the first country to allow women to vote in 1893.

Nigerian women enfranchisement came in 1959 while in Switzerland women were not allowed

to vote until 1971 (Ajayi, 2004:138). For the first time in history in 1919 the American born

Lady Nancy Astor became the first elected women to take her seat in the British Parliament

after fulfilling certain age and property (Johnson, 2003).

Subsequently, Several national and international documents and human rights mechanisms

have been put forward to encourage women’s participation in politics including the

International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (1966) and the International Convention

for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979), elaborate the

nature of women’s civil and political rights and the steps required to promote greater equality

between women and men in this area (Kukah, 2003:163; Akinboye, 2004:13). The Beijing

Platform for Action, the principal international action plan on women’s rights, contains a

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section on women in power and decision-making, which states that the empowerment and

autonomy of women and the improvement of women’s social, economic and political status is

essential for the achievement of both transparent and accountable government in all areas of

the society.

On the other hand, since the post-World War II era, there has been a global explosion of

women's activism on behalf of equality, liberation, and better living conditions. They have

gained visibility and influence in a wide array of political and economic arena in the society.

This change seems to allow many women to go further; by building up their own careers and

support bases, consequently becoming actively involved in politics in their own right. Thus

women’s increasing political participation is both a source and a signal of social change

(Henderson, 2006).

Narrowing the explanation to Nigerian situation, it is sufficed to say that over a long period of

time, Nigerian women have showed their dedication towards the development of this dear

nation and they have worked shoulder to shoulder with their Male counterparts in the Pre-

independent and Post independent periods. They have campaigned and agitated towards a

common goal so as to see this nation free from the shackles of political and economic overlords

of the British Crown. Some of whom are the like of Mrs Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti, Magraret

Ekpo, Hajia Gambo Sawaba to mention a few. The roles of these women in different works of

life therefore increase year in year out, and their efforts have always been faced with thorough

challenges from their male counterparts most especially in the political arena. These are caused

by multiple factors which shall be looked into. And thus, this essay will be incomplete without

discussing the concept of politics and political participation, the scope/forms of political

participation, its legal framework together with the problems encountered by women in

politics, with their everlasting solutions.

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CONCEPT OF POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

The definition of politics and political participation has become a bandwagon among social

scientists because various renowned scholars have defined them in their own perspectives. The

Popular Philosopher Aristotle once observed that whenever men seek to define their position

in the society or as they attempt to achieve personal security from available resources and as

they try to influence others to accept their points of view; they had engaged themselves in

politics. To him, "politics is the search for the good life" (Ajayi .O 2009). And he was of the

opinion that "All Men are political animal", meaning that no man can live in isolation. He has

to relate with others for his survival in the society and out of all other sectors, the political

sector is the controller of all. Thus, a society cannot do without politics. Harold Laswell also

submits that "The study of politics is the study of influence and influential... The influential are

those who get the most of what there is to get". Harold D.L 1936:295). Having defined politics,

what is political participation? Political participation are often erroneously interchanged with

election and voting behaviour alone, and it suggests that political participation is more

encompassing than that as it include any activity that shapes, affects or involves the political

field. For example, political participation includes voting, attending a rally, signing a petition

or sending a letter to a representative, organizing a political party, rioting for political reasons,

kidnapping a political candidate, expressing public opinion and so on. In fact it connotes

Peoples' involvement in both legal and illegal activity in the political arena. This assertion has

been faltered by some scholars who believe Political participation is the voluntary or non-

coercive involvement of citizens in the political affairs of their country. This definition

opines that political participation does not entails the use of force. And this remain a

debatable issue among scholars. Kayode even encapsulates that Some of these definitions

are generic, that is, some try as much as possible to capture all aspects and dimensions

in which people can participate in politics. While Some are limited because they

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discriminate against some aspects of participation as irregular or abnormal. (Eesuola K.

2013:55-56) For example Norman and Sidney define Political participation "as those legal

activities by private citizens which are more or less directly aimed at influencing the

selection of government personnel and/or the actions they take".(Sidney V. and Norman

N. 1972:2).

In the opinion of Verba et al, "Political participation is characterized as an activity that has

the intent or effect of influencing government action– either directly by affecting the

making or implementation of public policy, or indirectly by influencing the selection of

people who make those policies" (Verba et al, 1995). Active participation by responsible

citizens is vital for democracy and development. Politics is for people and without active

engagement by responsible citizens, democracy cannot flourish and sustainable development

is impossible (Dorothee 2012).

However, Koyode Eesuola educates that what is of utmost important to contemporary study

of political behaviour is for political participation to include both legal and illegal

attempts to influence governmental decisions. It is concerned with influencing the

composition and conduct, or personnel and policies. When people campaign for candidates

during elections, or they attend constituency meetings or cast their ballot during voting

period, we often consider their actions as political participation. Remember however,

that not doing all these, or doing them for certain reasons are also forms of participation

in politics. A renowned professor of philosophy, Jim Una once wrote that “even nothing

is nothing”, and a very popular slogan in party electioneering politics is that “failure

to vote for a candidate is a ballot cast for the opponent of the candidate”. Based on

this logic, the scope of political participation shall be direct or action based, and indirect

or attitude based political activities (Eesuola K. 2013:55-56), and as well as Illegal

participation. This shall be the main focus of the next subheading.

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Forms and Dimensions of Political Participation

By dimensions of political participation we mean those broad of activities that political

participation covers, or that can be regarded as forms of political participation (Eesuola

2013). They are as follows:

1. Direct or Action Based Political Activities

These refer to those activities that people deliberately engage in as standards of

participation in politics. They include voting, attendance of meetings, campaigning,

sponsorship of candidates, money and material donation, attending rallies and committee

meetings, organizing political party, expressing ones opinion to the press etc. This form of

participation can also be called legal participation or conventional political participation.

2. Indirect or Attitude Based Political Participation

This refers to people’s attitudes and dispositions that indirectly influence politics around

them. Some of which are agitation, boycott, demonstration, resistance, apathy, endorsement,

docility, scepticism, cynicism, etc. (Eesuola K. 2013:55-56). It should be noted that these

activities are not illegal and that is why it is called 'unconventional political participation by

some scholars. This can lead us to the third form of political participation which is Illegal

Participation.

3. Illegal participation

Most of the time, people resort to illegal participation only when legal means have failed to

create significant political change. This type of political participation includes activities that

are specifically prohibited by law. Examples include sabotage, ballot snatching,

gerrymandering, assassination, vandalism, wiretapping, forgery and any act of terrorism.

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LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF WOMEN'S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

Series of constitutional stipulations across the world have put no doubt to our understanding

that men and women have an equal legal right to participate fully in all aspects of the political

process. In reality, it is often tough for women to exercise these legal rights in Nigeria. It has

been constitutionally established that the 1979 Nigerian Constitution was the first to officially

guaranteed the franchise of women, given them avenues to participate actively in both local

and national politics. These rights are confirmations to the fact that all human beings are

equal and women possess the same rights as men to participate in governance and

public life. According to the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by virtue of

section 40, the political right of every citizen of the country is guaranteed irrespective of the

gender. The section states thus:

Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate

with other persons and in particular he/she may form or belong

to any political party, trade union or any other association for the

protection of his/her interests.

Section 42 (1) of the same constitution explains further that Nigeria citizens of a particular

community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason

be subjected to any form of discrimination. This is a legal prove that our women can go to

court to seek redress if their franchise is being violated and that the constitution as a

whole prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.

Also, Section 77 states without any form of discriminatory tone:

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, every

Senatorial district or Federal constituency established in

accordance with the provisions of this Part of this Chapter

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shall return a member who shall be directly elected to the

Senate or the House of Representatives in such manner as

may be prescribed by an act of the National Assembly. (2)

Every citizen of Nigeria, who has attained the age of

eighteen years residing in Nigeria at the time of the

registration of voters for purposes of election to a legislative

house, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter for that

election.

From the foregoing, it appears that there is nothing in the constitution, which excludes

or underestimates the roles and participation of women in politics. Yet when it comes to

actual practice, there is extensive discrimination. These constitutional stipulations from the

Nigerian constitution are enough as legal frameworks for women’s participation in politics.

Additionally, the National Policy on Women (NPW) which was adopted by the federal

government of Nigeria in 2000 has a goal which centres on enhancing active and meaningful

participation of women in the political arena by eliminating all forms of legal, cultural,

religious and other discrimination against women. If this policy is pursued rigorously, it is

believed that the confidence of competing with men will be legally guaranteed.

Factors Affecting Women’s Participation in Politics

Women’s participation and access to formal political power structures vary across Countries

(Bari, 2005). Recent literature on women and politics have identified various factors that affect

women’s participation in politics across the globe. Of the factors explored, research discovered

the following five (5) factors to be particularly important:

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1. Socio-economic factor

In relations to gender equality, this approach holds that economic development is central to

increasing the pool of women eligible for positions of social power (Alexander & Welzel,

2007). Thus Babatunde (2003:6) argues that a country’s level of development correlates with

women’s participation in politics and decreases existing barriers to political activity and

participation. These scholars establish that increased economic development associates with a

more broad based distribution of educational and occupational resources. Greater access to

educational and occupational resources increases women’s chances of professional

development, creating a larger pool of women eligible for power positions such as political

office.

These developmental measures such as increase in per capita, gross domestic product, women

in the work force and women literacy and so on, positively influence the percentage of women’s

political participation (Kenworthy & Malami, 1999; Reynolds, 19999, Welch & Studler, 1996;

Babatunde, 2003).

On the other hand, lack of economic incentives (Financial backing) for women is cancerous

for their effective participation in politics. This is due to the fact that political campaigns are

expensive and require solid financial backing for success, and only the few women that

are affluent possess the economic power to bankroll political campaigns. In fact, the

Nigerian labour market has about 75% of labour being supplied by men. And this is a

clear indication that women political aspirations are grossly hampered by lack of financial

bedrock to support their endeavour.

2. Socio cultural Factor

Cultural norms and customary practices have great influence on women’s political

participation. Babatunde (2003) defines culture as a socially created phenomenon that is

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influenced by the history, social experiences and material circumstances of the people. Among

the cultural ideological factors that affect women’s political participation is patriarchy system

(Bari, 2005). Cain, Khan & Nahar (1979:406) define patriarchy as a set of social relations with

a material base that enables men to dominate women. Patriarchy is characterized by male

kinship, permanent marriage and paternal authority (Appadorai, 1974:35). Fayomi & Igbelina-

Igbokwe (2006) note the influence of patriarchy cultural structure on the social status of the

female gender. Here, patriarchy describes a distribution of power and resources within the

family in a manner that men maintain power and control of resources, and women are powerless

and dependent on men (Oyekanmi, 2004:42). Thus, men dominate the political game, and set

the standards for evaluation.

We don't need to find examples about as you will agree with us that most African people

mostly the women believe that their male child will reap them the fruits they have laboured

than the female, and so they prefer sending the male child to school over the female. This

has marginally increased illiteracy among the feminine gender. And significantly, one should

stress the role of education in bridging the gap between men and women. Philosopher Plato

once exclaimed that Children of all social classes should be given equal educational

opportunity to the level of their personal abilities, so as to have equal chance of moving up on

the social ladder (Christine, S. Plato and Aristotle on Social Justice, 2017). This should go

straight to all parents that they shouldn't segregate the female from attaining the highest

educational careers even up to the level of being a Professor. This will give our women the

necessary tools and weapons to intellectually compete with men in Politics.

3. Historical heritage

Researchers have presented historical legacies potentially capable of affecting women’s social

and political status (Omotola, 2007:38). Scholars argue that a country’ developmental trends

of social modernization create cultural and institutional legacies that affect societies’ abilities

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to improve women’s lives (Krasner 1984; Skocpol 1992). Alexander & Welzel (2007) note that

the emergence of institutions, whether cultural or the result of policy, sometimes consists of

types of social organization that have a continuing and somewhat determinant influence on

phenomena relevant to those institutions far into the future. This influence can take the form

of an inertial tendency where institutions affect relevant phenomena that would have otherwise

changed due to other social forces (Peters 1999). This view considers some measures of path

dependent processes capable of affecting gender equality: Protestant religious traditions, a long

tradition of female suffrage, colonialism and a state tradition of investing into welfare rather

than coercive forces.

4. Religious Doctrine

After the researchers took a proper study of the two Abrahamic scriptures (Bible and Quran).

It was understood that both the Quran and Bible underestimate women from championing a

specific leadership position, which is mostly applicable to religious and family affairs and not

in political affairs. The religious injunctions of women's roles in politics still remain a debatable

issue among scholars and clergies due to misinterpretations and contradictions. It is a fact that

Christianity and Islam portray Eve as a body produced from Adam’s spare rib. Furthermore,

"It is held that the origin of gender discrimination began from their sins’’. (Agbalajobi D. T.

2010) It is also true that Islamic religion barred women from participating in the act of public

speaking (a major act of politics, but what if she's a teacher?). Now, let's look at the quotations

from the Quranic and Biblical references. It can be sighted from the Holy Quran (Q 9: 71),

"Men and Women are guardian of each other: They enjoin what is just and forbid what is

evil..." This verse defines the relationship between men and women as partners in establishing

a healthy family and society, and their right to command justice, making them to have equal

responsibility for their actions in the fulfillment of their duties. We also read in the Bible

(Judges 4: 4) about how Deborah was the chief judge of the Israelites and she received blessing

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from God. Also, both holy books narrate the story of The Queen Balqis of Sheba who played a

public role similar to the head of the state before she became the wife of Solomon (Prophet

Suleimon). From this background, it sufficed enough to say that both the Quran and the Bible

are not against the idea of women in politics but they are against making women a religious

leader. The point being emphasized is that the holy books designed Men for position of

leadership, but apart from leadership in the Church, mosque and Family which are restricted to

them alone, the holy books doesn't expressly forbid Women from the position of governance.

5. Lack of affirmative Quota

Affirmative quota is usually a measure intended to bring about equal opportunity of men and

women in social strata. it is a broad term encompassing a host of policies that seek to

support the minority groups in the society. In 1979, the United Nations General Assembly

adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against

Women (CEDAW). This convention has variously been described as the “Bible of

women empowerment” and “Women’s International Bill of Rights". (Agbalajobi D. T.

2010) Since its adoption it has become a reference point for the women’s movements,

calling for equal rights for women, regardless of their marital status in all fields–political,

economic, social, cultural and civil. It calls for national legislations to ban discrimination,

recommends temporary special measures to speed equality (United Nation, The World's

Women. 1999).

Reacting to this, the Nigerian Constitution though preaches non-discrimination but not explicit

enough in ensuring equal representation on sexual bases, as it takes no cognizance of the

disadvantaged position of women. On the same vein, the Principle of the Federal Character

Commission in the opinion of Agbalajobi Damilola is meant:

To ensure equitable representation of states and ethnic groups

in national appointments, actually places women at additional

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disadvantage by implying that they can only represent their

states of origin. Where culture does not permit a woman to

represent her place of birth, she loses a golden opportunity. There

have been many cases where a woman’s state of origin disallows

her appointment and the husband’s state also refuses to endorse

her. In many of these instances the government plays safe by

appointing a man instead. And this has continued to consolidate

women’s under-representation in national politics.

CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing, it is crystal clear that the country’s socioeconomic factors, political

structures, historical heritage, societal norms and belief system as well as quota system

have created a culture that alienates women from the mainstream of Nigerian politics. The

imperative of democratic consolidation in Nigeria requires that women, who constitute half of

the national population, should find prominence in the mainstream political development of

the nation since democracy is only achievable on the altar of popular participation of every

citizen of the society.

Any corrective measure adopted to address the low participation of women in Nigerian politics

will only be superficial unless the nation’s socioeconomic, cultural, political and religious

factors that limit women empowerment are decisively addressed.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In order to achieve the goal of improved women’s participation in politics, the following

recommendations are made:

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i. The national assembly should pass an electoral bill into law specifying what affirmative

actions are adopted to enhance women’s political participation in the country.

ii. The ministry of women affairs and other government machinery for women’s

advancement and development should be strengthened and equipped with modern

information storage and research facilities to investigate and document the situation of

women.

iii. Education of women should be encouraged in order to avoid inferiority complex and

give aspiring women courage and confidence to compete with the opposite sex.

iv. Government should consciously encourage women’s decisions and should cater for

their issues in all policies, plans and programs in public and private sectors.

v. Government should create a political environment supportive of and conducive for

women’s participation in politics.

vi. Religious leaders should not expressly forbid the women from participating in politics.

Instead, they should sensitize them on the importance of equal participation in public

affairs.

vii. The Principle of Federal Character Commission which stipulates equal opportunity in

all works of life for both the minority and majority groups, and as well as for the female

and the male should be upheld.

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