Only three female senators-elect were on the list of successful names published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the incoming legislators of the 10th Senate following the National Assembly elections held on the February 25. These three senators-elect are Labour Party’s Kingibe Ireti Heebah, Peoples Democratic Party’s Banigo Ipalibo Harry, and Adebule Idiat Oluranti of the All Progressives Congress representing Lagos West. This development is against the clamours for increased participation and appointments for women in politics. Pre-election discussions were in part reflective of the need for gender balance in politics, as several presidential candidates harped on women inclusion and political participation. Peter Obi, the former Anambra State governor, argued that for the country to move forward, women must be engaged in governance and decision-making as antecedents had shown that they can manage finances better.
Pauline Tallen, the Minister of Women Affairs, also identified the low number of women in politics and other leadership positions as a major setback to the country’s development. Data from 12 out of 36 states shows that women have been short-changed in the election and appointment by governors, with no female governors and only two female deputy governors.
