Nigeria’s February 25th 2023 election witnessed moneybags as well as political violence discouraging a lot of women from active participation in politics despite their voting strength.
In this report, Olufisoye Adenitan writes on the low number of women in parliaments and victimisation in politics in Ondo state.
Elegantly dressed in a golden-coloured lace gown with her simple headgear and light makeup, The Ondo Anthem was played as she walked up to the podium to address the audience with her mature voice and aura of confidence which enveloped the atmosphere.
Honourable Olawumi Fayemi represents Ilaje Constituency in the Ondo State House of Assembly with other two women from Idanre and Owo constituencies.
She was a special guest at a recent summit on gender-based violence where she grasped the microphone and expressed concern on the need for more women to be given opportunity in the political space.
She recounted her experience and major drive into politics which was borne out of her desire to see women’s liberation in every facet of life.
Hon Fayemi was voted on the platform of the running All Progressive Congress so also other women presently in the 10th Assembly of Ondo State.
“Moneybag politics limited the number of women in politics, it is a major impediment but we are hoping that subsequent elections would be good for women to emerge as Representative as we women there would push for gender-friendly bills that would help to bring more women on board. “
“Yes, out of the 26 members of the Assembly only 3 are women the ratio is quite wide and the gap, but we will continue to do our best, as a legal practitioner, I know my rights under the law and any form of intimidation will not be tolerated either by male or female colleagues in the house.”
According to the survey,49 per cent of Nigeria’s population are women while only 3.5 per cent represents at the nation’s parliaments.
In Ondo State, one woman was part of the 9th assembly Favour Semilore Tomomewo of the ilaje Constituency II (2019-2023)while the March 11th 2023 House of Assembly election had three women won the state assembly election to form part of the 10th assembly.
At some point during the 9th assembly, the only woman in the House was suspended for alleged anti-party activities Contacting Mrs Tomomewo for comment on the form of victimization she witnessed in the house during her tenure, she declined, saying she was in the United States for an high-level political forum. Her message on Whatsapp read thus “Hello my lady, Thanks for reaching out, I am currently out of the country, looking forward to some other time, “Ms Tomomewo’s message reads in part.
Nigeria women over the years have shown interest in political participation but various barriers have limited them in the space.
Some of the limitations are intimidation, violence and moneybag politics as experienced in the February 25th 2023 election which limited the participation of more women into political positions.
Many political parties in Nigeria during the election created an avenue for women to be part of the candidates, an example is the highest representation of women in parliaments in Ekiti state 7th House of Assembly which is the highest in the southwest of Nigeria.
In an interview, a female member representing Emure constituency in the Ekiti state House of Assembly, Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade said both past and present government in Ekiti state was intentional in encouraging women into key sectors without intimidation or harassment.
“I was a former commissioner for women’s affairs in Ekiti state under John Kayode Fayemi administration before I was given the ticket to run for the state Assembly alongside other five women who we emerged members. “
After we were inaugurated, a policy framework was drafted to give women 40 per cent slots for key positions for adequate representation of females in every sector in the state.
Looking at the issue from an expert point of view, a political scientist, Gender rights advocate from the Department of gender studies, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, professor Bukola Osunyikanmi said the Electoral Act 2002 as amended promoted money bag politics and corruption, it created an impression that politics is meant for rich alone thereby incapacitating the minority groups like women, youths, and disability community.
According to her, for a state assembly election, a candidate is expected to spend not exceeding 30 million naira as campaign expenditure.
Professor Osunyikanmi recounted how party delegates were bribed in the build-up to the 2023 election and it becomes problematic for women to fund their elections.
“Issues of gender inequality in the parliaments should urgently be addressed, decision-making should involve everyone, especially women, professor Osunyikanmi .”
One of the Frontline female politicians in Ondo State, a Forty-year-old gender advocate and member of the ruling. All progressive congress party, The Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender matters, Mrs Olamide Falana said sometimes, an organization was in the state namely VAWEE, Violence against women in Election, this group were in the state to champion the course of women during the election and Enlighten the parties against intimidation and harassment of female in politics
“VAPP law passed in July 2021 by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was meant to protect women in every facet of life.”
“We need more quality women with the mental capacity to withstand the heat of the game of politics to emerge as leaders for other women to look up to in the political space,” Falana said.
Mr Olorunmola Adebowale, Country Director Westminster Foundation for Democracy, a partner of the Ondo state government in the implementation of all forms of gender-based violence highlighted that women represent 49 per cent of the population of Nigeria of over 200 million while just 3.5 per cent represent parliament at the national level saying there is need to take a critical look at how laws are used to protect women, youths and persons with disability.
Westminster Foundation for Democracy is an international organization working to strengthen democracy by supporting parliaments, political parties, civil society and inclusive elections.
“We should look at how we can use Violence against person prohibition law to enhance inclusion in the political process, “Olorunmola said.
However, in her submission, the Executive Secretary, of Ondo State Agency against Gender-based Violence, Barrister Bolanle Afolabi said the VAPP law domesticated in the state has a wider coverage that protects and punishes offenders of political violence or intimidation.
“Violations of rights under the law take care of the rights of women if victimised, Mrs Afolabi said. “
Solution
Speaking on the solution to the Victimization of women, Special Adviser to the governor of Ondo state on gender matters, Mrs Olamide Falana suggested the Prosecution of political offenders, reduce the amount of money required for politics, then women should not be given tickets with pitiance but with the capacity to adequately represent well.
“We Don’t Have enough women in the house, no parity in the gender there,however the few there should represent the women’s voices without any intimidation by either their fellow women or men” Falana submitted .
“Capable women with the required experience , knowledge and resources should support young women in politics,like the men do ” Falana
Also suggesting a way forward the country Director of Westminster foundation for Democracy,Mr Adebowale Olorunmola suggested That anyone involved in violation of rights of any gender during the election or in office should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others
“Women should be aware that laws are in place to protect them when they are hindered by either their female or male counterpart this will encourage more participation in politics”Olorunmola submitted.
“We should see how to use the VAPP law to enhance inclusion in the political process, Olorunmola maintained”
In her submission, the Executive Secretary of, the Ondo state agency against gender-based violence, Bar Bolanle Afolabi suggested that Women need to be encouraged , there is the need for them to propose draft bills that guides against gender-based violence and promote the rights of women.
Also, a political scientist, at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Professor Bukola Osunyikanmi advocated adequate mentorship of women politicians by women leaders in the political space
“For women to leverage on their capacity in the political space,Women to women support is required to scale through in politics, women should serve as Godfathers to fellow women with adequate backing ” prof osunyikanmi.
A member of the Ekiti state House of Assembly where the highest female is the 7th assembly said the leadership of Ekiti state was intentional in ensuring women’s Representation at all levels of government without infringement on their rights saying that other states should learn from this.
Honourable olawumi Fayemi a member of the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly maintained that it is her resolve no matter the heat the few numbers of women representing at the assembly may face,they would represent the interest of women in the state well.
It is also hoped that women-focused groups , Organisations and politicians would be deliberate and Intentional in Supporting women not only during elections but in positions of power irrespective of party Affiliation.
This story is part of the African women in media AWIM/Luminate young women in politics programme.
