Political Parties And Women Candidacy: Gender Analysis of The 2019 General Elections in Nigeria

Öz

This paper accessed the role of political parties in recruiting, selecting and championing candidates for elections and the implications on women’s political attainment. The male-dominated political party structure and power has an overwhelming influence on women’s candidacy selection and winning of political seats. The attitude of political parties towards selection of candidates for elections in Nigeria is undemocratic and a major reason for women’s poor representation in governance. The paper argues that equality of all irrespective of sex is crucial for achieving political equity, better legislation, good governance and national development. Data for the study were obtained through secondary sources and analysis of data revealed that political parties’ candidacy selection and support have been lopsided in favour of men at all levels of political contests. The paper recommends policy strategies that would enhance more women entering into politics and party candidacy list geared towards attaining good governance and national development.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Political party
• women candidacy
• political representation
• policy legislation
• good governance
• national development

Siyasi Partiler ve Kadın Adaylığı: Nijerya'da 2019 Genel Seçimlerinin Cinsiyet Analizi

Öz

Bu makale, siyasi partilerin seçim adaylarını seçme ve desteklemedeki rolüne ve kadınların siyasi kazanımları üzerindeki etkilerine odaklanmıştır. Erkek egemen siyasi parti yapısı ve gücü, kadınların adaylık seçiminde ve sandalye kazanmalarında ezici bir etkiye sahiptir. Nijerya'da seçimler için adayların seçilmesine yönelik siyasi partilerin tutumu demokratik değildir ve bu durum kadınların yönetimde zayıf temsilinin başlıca nedenidir. Makale, cinsiyetten bağımsız olarak herkesin eşit olmasını, daha iyi bir mevzuatı, iyi yönetişim ve ulusal kalkınmayı olduğunu savunuyor. Çalışmaya ilişkin veriler ikincil kaynaklardan elde edilmiş ve verilerin analizi, siyasi partilerin adaylık seçimi ve desteğinin her düzeydeki siyasi yarışmalarda erkeklerin lehine orantısız olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Belge, daha fazla kadının siyasete girmesini ve iyi yönetişim ve ulusal kalkınmayı sağlamaya yönelik parti adaylık listesini artıracak politika stratejileri önermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Siyasi Parti
• Kadın Adaylığı
• Siyasi Temsil
• Politika Mevzuatı
• İyi Yönetişim
• Ulusal Kalkınma

Kaynakça

1. Agbalajobi, D.T. (2010). Women’s participation and the political process in Nigeria: Problems and prospects. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 4(2), 075-082.
2. Awofeso, O. and Odeyemi, T. I. (2014) Gender and political participation in Nigeria: A Cultural Perspective, in Journal Research in Peace, Gender and Development (JRPGD), 4(6), 104-110.
3. Ayomo, I. (April 14, 2019). Government should work towards achieving gender parity in democratic governance, Accessed May 27, 2020 https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/04/14/women-and-representative- government/
4. Ballington, J., Davis, R., Reith, M., Mitchell, L., Njoki, C., Kozma, A., Powley, E. (2012). Empowering women for stronger political parties: A guidebook to promote women’s political participation. New York: United Nations Development Programme and National Democratic Institute.
5. Eme, O. I. (2015). An analysis of Nigerian women’s score card in 2015 polls, Singaporean Journal of Business Economics, and Management Studies 4(4), 17-29.
6. Eme,O. I, Onyishi, A. I., & Nwaoha, C. (2014). Women Marginalization in electoral politics in Nigeria: A Historical perspective. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review (Nigerian Chapter) 2(7): 1-17.
7. European Union (2019). EU Election observation mission Nigeria 2019 final report general elections. Accessed June 15, 2019 from https://eeas.europa.eu/election-observation- missions/eom-nigeria-2019_en
8. INEC (2019). 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Accessed June 15, 2020 from https://www.inecnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2019-GENERAL- ELECTIONS-FINAL-LIST-OF-CANDIDATES-FOR-HOUSE-OF REPRESENTATIVES-1.pdf

9. INEC (2019). 2019-GENERAL ELECTIONS FINAL LIST OF SENATORIAL CANDIDATE Accessed June 15, 2020 from https://www.inecnigeria.org/wp- content/uploads/2019/02/2019-GENERAL-ELECTIONS-FINAL-LIST-OF- SENATORIAL-CANDIDATE-1.pdf
10. INEC (2019). 2019 final list of GOVs. Accessed June 15, 2020 from https://www.inecnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Final-List-GOVs- 30012019-with-Remarks-5.pdf
11. Irabor, F.O. (2011). Review of Women’s Participation and Performance at the 2011 Elections of Women in Nigeria, Lagos: baobawomen.
12. Nnamani, D. O. (2014). Electoral process and challenges of good governance in the Nigerian State (1999-2011). Journal of Good Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa (JGGSDA), 2, 3, 78-99.
13. Okafor, E. M. and Akokuwebe, M. E. (2015). Women and leadership in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects, Developing County Studies 5(4), 1-10.
14. Okoronkwo-Chukwu, U. (2013). Female representation in Nigeria: The case of 2011 general elections and the fallacy of 35% affirmative action. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(2), 39-46.
15. Oladoye, D. (2011). In Retrospect: 2011 April polls and gender ranking in Nigeria. Accessed June 5, 2017 from www.cp.africa.com/2011/05/17/in-retrospect-2011-aprilpolls
16. Onyeji, E. (October 4, 2019). 2019 elections worst for Nigerian women in nearly two decades, analyses show. Accessed February 12, 2020 from https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/326243-2019-elections-worst-for- nigerian-women-in-nearly-two-decades-analyses-show.html.
17. McBain, W. (March 26, 2015 ). Nigeria election: The country's first-ever female presidential candidate hoping to inspire other women to become politically active. The Independent. Accessed May 24, 2020 from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nigeria- election-the-countrys-first-ever-female-presidential-candidate-hoping-to-inspire-other- women-10137107.html
18. Ndujihe, C. (March 9, 2019). Women who will shape Ninth Senate. Accessed May 27, 2020 from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/03/women-who-will-shape-ninth-senate/
19. Ngara, C. O., & Ayabam, A.T. (2013). Women in politics and decision- making in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. European Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 2(8), 47- 58
20. Olokor., F (March 16, 2019) Only 62 women won elections in 2019, says INEC Accessed May 27, 2020 from https://punchng.com/only-62-women-won-elections-in-2019-says-inec/5F
21. Pham, J. P. (March 9, 2015). Interview with Chairman of Nigeria’s Electoral Commission. Accessed May 27, 2020 from https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/africasource/interview-with-professor- attahiru-m-jega-ofr-chairman-of-nigeria-s-independent-national-electoral-commission/
22. SAIS-AFP, PTCIJ & CDD (2019). Gendered contests: Women in competitive elections: An analysis of women’s participation in the 2019 Nigeria General Elections. Accessed Juune 5, 2020 from https://cddelibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Gendered- Contests-Women-in- Competitive-Elections.pdf
23. Sanni, K. (February 15, 2019). For the record: Nigeria’s 73 presidential candidates (Full list) Accessed May 24, 2020 from https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/313139-for-the- record-nigerias-73-presidential-candidates-full-list.html
24. Ugwu, C. S. (2018). Challenges of political representation of women in Nsukka local goveranment area of Enugu state. Journal of Public Administration and Governance Research, 1(1): 100-110.
25. United Nations (1996). Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women Beijing, 4-15 September 1995. New York: United Nations
26. Watuka, C. M. (n.d). Resistance to women’s political leadership: Problems and advocated solutions. Nairobi, Kenya:Women United for Social, Economic & Total Empowerment.