Usman Decries Falling Female Representation In Parliament

Labour Party National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, has expressed concern over the shrinking number of women in Nigeria’s parliament, calling it a setback for gender inclusion.

Usman raised the alarm on Friday in Abuja, while hosting the leadership of the Nigeria League of Women Voters, Kaduna State Chapter.

She noted that female senators dropped from eight in the 7th National Assembly to just three in the current 10th Senate.

Usman commended the group for its persistence and urged members not to be discouraged by intimidation.

She reminded them that the Labour Party had directed its 2023 lawmakers to support gender inclusion Bills before many defected to other parties.

Highlighting the party’s record, she said the Labour Party produced Nigeria’s first female national chairman of a major political party and currently has women serving as National Organising Secretary, and National Legal Adviser.

She encouraged women to contest without waiting for quotas, citing her own political journey.”If I could do it, you too can do it,” Usman said, stressing that waiting for concessions only delays progress.

Usman also criticized the tendency of women voters to support male candidates over female contenders.

“Even when women outnumber men at the polls, female candidates are often sidelined by their fellow women,”she added

She urged the league to intensify voter sensitisation and mobilise support for the Labour Party in upcoming elections, citing Governor Alex Otti’s inclusive governance in Abia as proof of the party’s commitment to women.

The delegation, led by spokesperson Dr. Rekiya Shonekan, urged Usman to back the Bill for Special Seats for women and sustain support for empowerment initiatives. They praised her track record in politics and governance.