Senate President Godswill Akpabio has blamed the low electoral success of women in Nigerian politics on inadequate support from other women.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday while hosting a delegation from the European Union Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Mr. David McAllister, Akpabio said that many women tend to vote for male candidates, thereby reducing the chances of female contenders at the polls.
“Women often vote for men, and this makes it difficult for their fellow women to win elections,” the Senate President remarked.
Akpabio expressed concern over the glaring gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political landscape, noting that despite women constituting nearly half of the voting population, their presence in governance remains marginal.
Currently, only four out of the 109 senators and 17 of the 360 members of the House of Representatives are women, a situation that has remained virtually unchanged for about two decades.
The former Akwa Ibom governor revealed that the National Assembly was exploring “innovative strategies,” including possible constitutional amendments, to encourage greater gender inclusion in politics and governance.
He added that the legislature was open to collaborating with advocacy groups such as the Black Women’s Forum to advance women’s political participation.
In his remarks, McAllister said the EU delegation’s visit aimed to strengthen relations with Nigeria and gain deeper insight into political and security developments in West Africa.
He reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic growth, emphasizing collaboration in areas such as counter-terrorism, climate change, and economic stability.
“The EU remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s development and ensuring stability across the region,” McAllister stated.
The delegation’s visit is part of a broader West African tour that includes Ghana and precedes the International Islamic Conference on Security and Governance in West Africa and the Sahel, scheduled to take place at the ECOWAS Commission on November 4, 2025.
Akpabio expressed optimism that the renewed partnership would produce meaningful results, assuring that Nigeria was ready to deepen its cooperation with the EU on key issues like security, trade, and governance.
“Nigeria is committed to strengthening its partnership with the EU and advancing mutual goals for peace and prosperity,” he said.
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