Special Seats Bill Failure A Missed Opportunity, Electoral Hub Says

The Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) and The Electoral Hub have raised concerns over persistent violence and discrimination faced by women in Nigeria’s political space, warning that democracy cannot thrive when women are intimidated, excluded or prevented from participating fully in governance.

The group made the assertion in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Princess Hamman-Obels, Director of IRIAD-The Electoral Hub, to mark the 2026 edition of the 10 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWP), observed from June 3 to June 12 under the theme, “Safe Voices, Strong Democracy.”

According to Hamman-Obels, the safety and inclusion of women in politics are fundamental to democratic development, particularly as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. “No democracy can thrive when half of its population is silenced, intimidated, threatened, or excluded from political participation,” she said.

She noted that despite ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusion, women aspiring to political leadership continue to face significant barriers, including structural discrimination within political parties, political violence, harassment and online abuse. “Many women aspirants experienced violence, particularly structural violence from political institutions reflected by structural barriers that continue to limit women’s political participation and representation,” she noted.

The organisations further expressed concern over the failure to pass the Special Seats Bill for Women, describing it as a missed opportunity to address the historical exclusion of women from political representation.

Hamman-Obels identified social media as a growing platform for gender-based political violence, stating, “Female politicians and aspirants are increasingly targeted through online harassment, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, hate speech, misinformation and disinformation campaigns aimed at damaging their reputations and silencing their voices.”

She called on political parties to adopt zero-tolerance policies against violence, and urged the Federal Government and National Assembly to revisit the Special Seats Bill.