REMARKS BY THE INTER PARTY ADVISORY COUNCIL (IPAC) NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, DR YUSUF MAMMAN DANTALLE AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN POLITICAL LEADERS ON BREAKING BARRIERS AND SHAPING POSITIVE ATTITUDES FOR INCLUSIVE POLITICS IN NIGERIA, ORGANIZED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR POLICY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES (NIPSS) IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DIRECTORATE OF WOMEN AFFAIRS AND IPAC HELD AT ABUJA CONTINENTAL HOTEL FROM 23RD TO 24TH APRIL 2025.
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IPAC STANDS FOR GENDER INCLUSIVE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA
It is a great privilege and honour to welcome you once again to this crucial conference for women political leaders on "Breaking Barriers And Shaping Positive Attitudes For Inclusive Politics In Nigeria." I commend the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) for organising the conference in collaboration with the Directorate of Women Affairs and IPAC which seeks to provide a forum for dialogue among stakeholders on how women participation in politics can be enhanced to consolidate, strengthen and deepen democracy in Nigeria.
NIPSS is a dependable ally in fostering behavioural change approaches to promote integrity, accountability and ethical standards among policy actors in the public and private sectors, and had organized a two-day workshop on institutionalizing behavioural approaches to reduce corruption in politics in Nigeria for National Chairmen and Women Leaders of Political Parties from 5th - 6th March 2024, among other workshops in its commitment to building capacity of political party leaders.
Council appreciates this exceptional patriotism and unwavering commitment of NIPSS in bolstering the nation's democracy. We are grateful.
This conference for women political leaders is a testament to NIPSS' determination to promote inclusivity in the democratic process by equipping women with the confidence, leadership skills, and strategic insights essential to break through the barriers that hinder their active participation in politics. It will also provide a platform for addressing the persistent challenges that women face, such as traditional gender roles, discrimination, marginalisation, low political participation and representation in decision-making processes.
IPAC stands for inclusivity in politics. It led by example and established three Directorates dedicated to Women, Youth, and People Living With Disabilities, ensuring that the voices of the underrepresented groups are heard and considered within the Council. The Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle-led IPAC is the first to achieve three elected women in Council as provided by its Constitution, viz, the National Publicity Secretary - Mrs Chinyere Oge-Kalu, National Treasurer - Hon. Maryam Bagel and Deputy National Secretary - Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim.
IPAC has been working assiduously to ensure that women are duly represented in the National, State, Local and Ward Executives of all political parties. Reports on this are encouraging as we collectively resolve to push for more gender inclusivity in politics, leadership and governance.
In any democratic society, the active participation of women in politics is critical to achieve inclusivity, equality, equity and sustainable development. It is said that when you train a woman you train a nation. Women have inherent capacities and capabilities that make them indispensable. Female political leaders often demonstrate exceptional insights, savvy and managerial acumen that drive progress, development and advancement. Their active involvement in politics and governance cannot be overemphasized. Their voices must be heard loud and clear in the quest for a strong, vibrant, equitable, prosperous and decent democratic society.
It is obvious that democracy is dependent on active participation and representation of all citizens in democratic institutions and processes. When a section of the society is underrepresented in policy discussions, they feel marginalised. This is the case with women who constitute 50% of the nation's population. We cannot advance our democracy if half of the population is excluded from the political sphere. This injustice shall not stand.
IPAC is with Nigerian women in breaking barriers that impede their participation in politics. It is time to break these awkward barriers that have no place in modern societies driven by technology that allows citizens to maximise their potentials and contribute to nation building. Cultural barriers, stereotypes, poverty, lack of education, violence against women etc, must be broken immediately.
Women's rights are fundamental human rights that were enshrined by the United Nations for everybody, and subscribed to by Nigeria as provided for in the 1999 Constitution, as amended. These rights include the right to live free from violence, slavery, discrimination, to be educated, to own property, to political participation, health, dignity and to earn fair and equal wage. It is unfair and unjust to deny women these basic rights because of their gender, particularly right to political participation and representation in decision-making processes.
I urge stakeholders to intensify efforts toward the elimination of all gender related barriers. Our women shall be free to maximise their potentials and fulfill their destinies despite Nigeria being a patriarchal society.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel for gender inclusivity in politics. The political horizon is wide enough to accommodate all citizens.
I charge Nigerian women to rise up and take their rightful place in politics and governance. It is time to break glass ceilings, join political parties of their choice, contest various elective positions and prove their ability to lead, bearing in mind that power is not given, it is taken. If women do not participate in the electoral process, there is no way they can be elected President or Vice President, Governors or Deputy Governors, Senators, House of Representatives members, State legislators and Councils members. In the 2023 presidential election, only one female candidate contested the election on the platform of the Allied People's Movement (APM). She won the party's presidential ticket in spite of all odds because she stepped out to vy for the highest office in the country. It was a triumph of courage over intimidation, stereotype and marginalization. She did not win the presidential election, but made a point that women could aspire to the highest office in the country.
Across the world many women have broken barriers and glass ceilings in politics to become Presidents, Prime Ministers, Senators, national and state legislators, military generals, astronauts and other men dominated fields.
As Nigerian women take giant steps forward in politics, the sky will be their limit as they explore immense possibilities that will enrich the nation's emerging democracy.
Accordingly, IPAC reiterates its call for the passage of the bill on the reservation of special seats for women in parliament pending at the National Assembly. The bill seeks to create 74 seats for women in a bid to encourage more female participation in politics. It is anchored on the fundamental principle of equitable representation, and aims to empower women by ensuring their voices are not only heard but they actively contribute in shaping the legislative landscape, and the overall development of the nation. IPAC will intensify action to ensure the bill scales through the House of Representatives and Senate, and assented to by the President.
Council urges the National Assembly to also pass the Electoral Offences Commission bill into law that will ensure the prosecution of electoral offenders and their sponsors to serve as a deterrent to those inclined to undermine the integrity of the nation's elections.
To further safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, IPAC advocates for a single-day general election. A single-day election will reduce costs, minimise disruption of economic and academic activities, maintain voter enthusiasm throughout the process and address logistical challenges. This is in line with global practices as obtainable in Ghana, Sierra Leone, the United States and Venezuela as some of the countries that hold their elections in one day.
As we embrace more women participation in politics, join in breaking barriers that hinder them and shape positive attitudes for inclusive politics, our democracy, democratic institutions and governance will be strengthened. Nigerians will feel the impact of their governments at all levels. Power will return to the people on whom sovereignty resides. It is a new dawn!
Wishing us robust deliberations!
I thank you for your audience!
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