Senator Seriake Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District, has reaffirmed his commitment to boosting women’s participation in governance through targeted legislative reforms.
Dickson, a former Governor of Bayelsa State and leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), made the statement in Abuja when members of the Women Collective Hub, led by Nkoyo Toyo, paid him a courtesy visit.
He described the level of women’s political representation in Nigeria as unacceptable, especially when compared with countries such as Rwanda, Senegal, and Liberia.
According to him, strengthening democracy requires ensuring that women are fully included in decision-making processes at all levels of government.
He noted that although Nigerian women possess the capacity to lead, they continue to face structural, cultural, and economic obstacles that limit their political participation.
The lawmaker expressed strong support for affirmative action policies, particularly the proposed reserved seats bill, which seeks to increase women’s representation in legislative bodies.
He argued that meaningful electoral reforms are necessary to address existing inequalities and improve women’s participation in politics.
Dickson said he would actively push for the bill when legislative activities resume, adding that he already enjoys support for the initiative within the National Assembly.
He stressed that women must be given greater visibility in governance through elections, appointments, or nominations, noting that inclusion remains essential for national development.
According to him, early passage of the bill would ensure that more women benefit in the next electoral cycle, as representation at the table of decision-making is crucial.
The senator also reiterated that his party remains committed to providing equal opportunities for women to contest all political offices, including the presidency.
Earlier, Nkoyo Toyo, founder of the Women Collective Hub, traced the history of women’s advocacy in Nigeria to the late 1990s during the constitutional drafting process.
She recalled that women’s groups had pushed for at least 25 percent affirmative action, but their demands were not fully reflected in the final constitution.
Toyo expressed concern that despite repeated engagements with government institutions and political parties, the gap between policy promises and actual implementation remains wide.
She also warned that women continue to face systemic barriers within party structures, particularly during competitive elections.
While acknowledging ongoing electoral reform discussions, she noted that unresolved issues around implementation could delay meaningful progress in women’s representation.
Toyo cautioned that without urgent action, Nigeria risks entering another election cycle with minimal improvement in gender inclusion in politics.
She said the visit to Senator Dickson was aimed at securing his support for the passage of the reserved seats bill and broader efforts to enhance women’s political participation.
Also speaking, the National Women Leader of the NDC, Dudu Manuga, outlined the party’s efforts to close the gender gap through affirmative action and institutional reforms.
She said the party is focused on creating opportunities for women through training, empowerment, and transparent political processes.
Manuga added that the NDC plans to support female aspirants with mentorship, capacity-building programmes, and limited financial assistance, particularly at the grassroots level.
She emphasised that the goal is to ensure women emerge not only as participants but also as credible contenders and leaders across all levels of governance.