Nineteen political parties convened in Lagos under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to review and adopt a constitution for the council, replacing the existing code of conduct used to guide its activities.
The meeting, tagged “I-PAC Constitutional Review Meeting on Increasing Representation of Women and Under-Represented Groups in Politics, National and State Assemblies,” brought together representatives of all 19 registered political parties. It was organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).
The Country Director of WFD, Adebowale Olorunmola, highlighted the low representation of women in political leadership, stating, “Rwanda ranks first globally, with 61% of women in the single/lower house, while Nigeria ranks last at 180, with a mere 4% of women in the lower house.
“Six African countries (Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, and Ethiopia) have achieved 40% or higher women’s representation in their lower houses. The question we must ask ourselves as political party leaders and IPAC leaders is, ‘What role can we play to improve Nigeria’s ranking between now and 2027?’ Will Nigeria still remain in 180th position in 2027?”
Olorunmola also stressed that transitioning from a Code of Conduct to a Constitution was a necessary step as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its democratic processes. He noted, “A well-developed Constitution will enable IPAC to mediate inter-party relations and advocate for good governance, peaceful electoral processes, and gender-inclusive politics.”
National Chairman of IPAC, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, underscored the significance of adopting a constitution, stating, “Having a constitution will enhance accountability, transparency, and the rule of law within the council. It demonstrates IPAC’s commitment to democratic principles and establishes a more formal and structured organization.”
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, represented by Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ayobami Salami, reaffirmed INEC’s dedication to fostering a level playing field for all political actors.
He described the collaboration between IPAC and WFD on constitutional review as a commendable effort to deepen democracy and promote inclusivity in Nigeria.
