Women’s Political Participation when you look at the Blog post-colonial Nigeria
As Constitutional Buy from inside the Council which proclaimed Nigeria’s freedom included standard human liberties (Part step 3 of one’s 1960 Constitution) 
and you may section twenty-seven of your Constitution secured versatility away from discrimination, people stayed marginalized. Freedom “…was only a change in the new structure out of office proprietors and you can beyond the reputation of the governmental program” (Nelson, 2012, p. 91).
This is apparent regarding the constitution of parliament in the first republic (1960–1966), with only two females decided to go with to the federal parliament from 91 senators and two also opted towards the East Domestic away from Assembly. Civilian code is truncated by army rule of 1966 so you can 1979, where day ladies have been next ).
On the second republic (1979–1983), there can be just one people senator of 571 and you may 11 women on 445-user Home out-of Assembly. Regarding the 19 states of federation, there are zero females representatives inside your home from Set up otherwise during the local government peak (Omotola, 2007, p. 37). The next republic was truncated of the an army dictatorship from inside the 1983. Every says complied with this specific directive and several had more than one to lady member. In the early 1990’s, a couple females had been designated deputy Governors, particularly, Alhaja Latifat Okunu off Lagos Condition and you may Mrs. Pamela Sadauki regarding Kaduna State (Oloyede, 2016).
Yet not, there have been zero females users regarding the Supreme Armed forces Council otherwise the new after Military Governing Council, for example people starred no tall character on the main government (Oloyede, 2016).
Ladies contribution is equally lowest inside the 3rd republic. Few girls was chose due to the fact councilors, just one girl served just like the a community bodies chairperson, there had been no girls governors, one girl obtained a chair on the senatorial election in 1982 (Mrs. Kofo Bucknor Akerele) and incredibly few people were opted for towards Household out-of Representatives (Oloyede, 2016).
During this time, the federal government put the initial official quota system and this mandated the brand new Executive Council of all says to ensure at the least one of their professionals try a lady
Nigeria returned to democratic code for the 1999 plus the Constitution out-of brand new Government Republic out of Nigeria (1999, since the amended) offers folk equal legal rights and you may opportunities with regards to involvement inside the government. Area fourteen(1) states one, “This new Federal Republic from Nigeria would be a state considering the principles out of democracy and you may personal justice.” Subsection dos happens after that to say that, “The newest involvement because of the people in the authorities is going to be made sure according to the terms associated with the Structure.”
Similarly, part forty of Constitution claims one, “Everybody else is permitted assemble freely and relate to other persons, and in particular he might setting or get into people political class, trade union and other connection towards defense out of their focus.” part 42 (1) provides one to, “ A citizen out of Nigeria out of a particular people, cultural group, place of origin, gender, religion otherwise governmental advice shall maybe not, by the reasoning only that he is like men feel exposed to the form of discrimination.”
Aside from the constitutional conditions one render women’s governmental involvement, due to the fact listed before, Nigeria is actually a good signatory to many in the world devices one to address sex inequality. Blog post eight of Convention to your Removal of most of the Models off Discrimination Up against Lady (CEDAW) says you to definitely:
State parties should take all appropriate actions to avoid discrimination facing feamales in the fresh governmental and societal longevity of the country and you will, in particular, should make sure to help you female towards equivalent conditions that have guys ideal:
(a) To choose in most elections and you may societal referenda in order to be qualified to receive election to any or all in public areas decided bodies;