By Maryam Diallo
Political party leaders, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders in Kaduna State have called for greater gender inclusivity in Nigeria’s political system as part of efforts to create a society free from discrimination.
At the opening of the one-day event titled “Kaduna Political Party Summit”, held on Wednesday in Kaduna, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, described the summit as a pivotal step toward promoting political inclusivity in the state.
Represented by CISLAC official Mohammed Murtala, Rafsanjani emphasized that the summit, supported by the European Union through the EU Support to Democratic Governance (EU-SDGN) project in Nigeria, was aimed at advancing inclusivity within Nigeria’s political landscape, ensuring that every voice is heard and all individuals have equal opportunities to lead.
“As we strive for a more inclusive Kaduna, we recognize the state’s rich cultural heritage, resilience, and diversity. However, we also acknowledge the challenges, including security concerns and developmental issues. Our goal is to contribute to rebuilding and creating a brighter future for all,” Rafsanjani said.
Rafsanjani outlined the objectives of the EU-SDGN project, which include:
Fostering Representative Leadership: Ensuring that party leadership positions reflect the diversity of Kaduna.
Promoting Equal Opportunities: Encouraging participation from underrepresented groups, including women, youth, and marginalized communities.
Strengthening Democratic Institutions: Building robust systems to support inclusive decision-making.
He called for collective action to create a just and equitable society, urging all stakeholders to work together to make Kaduna a beacon of hope and inclusivity.
Mr. Samson Auta, Co-National Coordinator of the Interfaith Media Center (IMC) in Kaduna, emphasized the importance of involving women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the activities of political parties. He noted that the summit aimed to educate politicians in the state on the significant roles these groups can play in politics when given the opportunity.
He added that the summit was an important initiative to encourage political parties to exchange ideas and take proactive steps toward greater inclusivity. Auta emphasized that the event would foster discussions to enhance political inclusion across Nigeria while supporting the development of strategies for inclusivity within political party processes.
He also expressed gratitude to the Network of Peace Journalists (NPJ) for their consistent support in raising public awareness on these crucial issues through reportage.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Hon. Ahmed Tijjani Mustapha, commended CISLAC for its decade-long partnership with political parties. He highlighted the significance of the summit, calling it a platform to align political parties in Kaduna with CISLAC, other NGOs, and CSOs to ensure a better political system.
Describing the summit as a notable achievement, Hon. Mustapha reaffirmed IPAC’s commitment to working with CISLAC and other organizations to advance good governance in Nigeria.
Hon. Mustapha also pointed out the timeliness of the summit, given the upcoming by-elections in January 2025 for the House of Representatives in the Chikun and Zaria federal constituencies. He noted that the summit would serve as a starting point for encouraging more women, youth, and PwDs to contest these positions.
He added that the summit’s impact would be significant, particularly as major political parties were in attendance and the global context made the discussions even more pertinent.
Addressing Inclusivity Practices in Political Parties
Senior Programme Officer at CISLAC, Solomon Adoga, discussed the gaps between political parties’ claims of inclusivity and their actual practices. While many parties claim to have provisions for underrepresented groups in their constitutions and manifestos, Adoga noted that these commitments often remain vague and unfulfilled.
He pointed out that the non-compliance with constitutional frameworks by party members continues to fuel conflicts within parties. “Despite the presence of designated offices for women, youth, and PwDs at national, state, and local government levels, these positions are often not filled by the intended representatives,” he said.
Political Party Perspectives
Abubakar Musa Alhassan, Director of Organization for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, spoke about the lack of ideological cohesion within Nigerian political parties. He argued that party members often jump from one party to another, seeking personal gain rather than standing by political principles. He also criticized Nigeria’s bicameral legislature, calling for a single, part-time legislature to reduce the cost of governance, including expenses related to accommodation, transportation, and salaries for full-time legislators.
Alhassan further argued that when there is no significant financial incentive in politics, people would be less likely to engage in corrupt practices or violence to gain office. “Politics should be a trust, not a money-making venture,” he cautioned.
He also urged the youth to harness their numbers and potentials, advising them against creating splinter groups that politicians could easily manipulate. Similarly, he encouraged women to organize and assert themselves, refusing to be used by male politicians, especially given their large numbers at polling units. PwDs were also urged to take a more active role in political processes.
Future Steps
Stakeholders called on CISLAC to organize workshops for youth, women, and PwDs to help them overcome these challenges and succeed in politics. They also urged the media and CSOs to continue educating the public and providing a roadmap for overcoming these barriers to political participation.
Political Parties in Attendance
The summit saw participation from various political parties, including:
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Labour Party (LP)
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)
Young Progressive Party (YPP)
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
People’s Redemption Party (PRP)
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Accord Party
Action Alliance (AA)
Allied People’s Movement (APM)
National Rescue Movement (NRM)
Action Democratic Party (ADP)
ZLP, AD(LAF), YP, JONAPWP, IMC, and others.
