President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has attributed the persistent struggles of female politicians in Nigeria’s elections to the lack of support they receive from fellow women.
Speaking on Tuesday while receiving a high-level delegation from the European Union Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Mr. David McAllister, at the National Assembly in Abuja, Akpabio said many women still prefer voting for male candidates, a trend that continues to hinder female political advancement.
“Women often vote for male candidates, making it difficult for female candidates to win elections,” Akpabio noted.
The Senate President lamented the enduring gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political space, observing that despite women comprising nearly half of the voting population, their representation in parliament remains among the lowest in Africa.
Currently, only four out of 109 senators and 17 out of 360 House of Representatives members are women — a figure that has seen little improvement in the last two decades.
Akpabio disclosed that the National Assembly was exploring “innovative measures, including constitutional amendments,” to enhance gender inclusion in governance and promote fairer political participation for women.
He added that the legislature was ready to partner with advocacy organisations such as the Black Women’s Forum to push for increased representation and empowerment of women in politics.
On his part, McAllister, who led the EU delegation alongside Ambassador Greta Mylott, said their visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and the European Union, particularly in areas of democracy, development, and regional stability.
He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s progress in tackling terrorism, climate change, and economic challenges.
“The EU remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s development and stability,” McAllister said, emphasising the bloc’s continued interest in fostering a secure and prosperous West Africa.
The visit, which also includes a stop in Ghana, precedes the upcoming International Islamic Conference on Security and Governance in West Africa and the Sahel, scheduled to hold on November 4, 2025, at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja.
Akpabio expressed optimism about the deepening partnership, reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with the EU on shared priorities including governance, security, and trade.
“Nigeria is committed to strengthening ties with the EU and deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” he said.
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