Amid calls for female representation in Nigerian politics, only a few women who participated in the recently concluded general elections got into elective positions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As of February 2023, the Inter-Parliamentary Union Women ranked<\/strong><\/a> Nigeria 182 out of 186 for women\u2019s representation in the national parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the February 25 elections, Ireti Kingibe, a candidate under the Labour Party (LP), was one of the few women who clinched political positions. She emerged as the elected senator for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, subsequently met with Ms Kingibe, claiming she was the first elected female senator of the FCT. However, a fact-check by Fact-Check Hub debunked<\/strong><\/a> the claim.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Findings showed Khairat Abdulrazaq-Gwadabe had previously held the position of the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory FCT from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2003.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the fact-check, more conversations surfaced around the topic on Twitter, requiring further clarification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On March 12, 2023, a Twitter user, @GbenroAdegbola<\/strong><\/a>, stated that Ms Abdulrazaq-Gwadabe was the first senator and female senator for the Federal Capital Territory who served from May 1999 to 2003.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also noted that Franca Afegbua was the first female Nigerian Senator representing the Bendel-North district from October to December 1983, while Wuraola Esan was appointed a Senator in 1960.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DUBAWA examines the history of female senators in the country to clarify the confusion surrounding female senators’ evolution in Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Senate is called the upper chamber of Nigeria’s bicameral legislature. The National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a bicameral Legislature established under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution, which consists of 109 Senatorial seats with the 36 states divided into three senatorial districts, each electing one Senator through the implementation of the First-Past-the-Post electoral system. The Federal Capital Territory also elects one senator using the First-Past-the-Post electoral system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to historical records, Daniel Yakwo had previously served<\/strong><\/a> in the same position in the second senate. He was appointed by the late former president of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari (1979 to 1984).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, Hassan Asa Haruna Tadanyigbe of the Social Democratic Party was elected<\/strong><\/a> on July 4, 1992<\/strong><\/a>, to represent the FCT in the Senate. A year after, the bicameral Parliament was dissolved after the military takeover led by General Sani Abacha in November 1999.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a 16-year-long military rule, Nigeria returned<\/strong><\/a> to democratic rule in 1999 following the announcement by Abdulsalam Abubakar, transitional Head of State of Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The country’s constitution was revived for democratic rule, necessitating a Senate and House of Representatives. The Nigerian Senate consists of 109 senators representing three Senatorial zones, each in the 36 states of the federation and one senator representing the FCT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ms Abdulrazaq-Gwadabe was elected as the Senator representing<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate from 1999 to 2003, making her the first elected female senator representing the FCT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Others who succeeded Ms Abdulrazaq-Gwadabe as FCT Senator include Isa Mania (2003-2007); Adamu Sidi Ali (2007-2011); Phillip Tanimu Aduda (2011-2023); and Ireti Kinigbe (2023 – till date).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chief Afegbua, an internationally recognised hair stylist, was elected senator<\/strong><\/a> in 1983. She contested in the 1983 elections under the National Party of Nigeria and won the Bendel-North Senatorial District seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The late Chief Afegbua had been praised for her resilience in contesting the election despite being in the opposition party at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a 2022 interview<\/strong><\/a>, she said, \u201cPeople know that women keep to their promises. That was a major factor, a major one. I intended to keep my promises to my people, making them understand that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think there has been some improvement since my time. There was no woman in the senate before me then, but there are women now. Then, I was the only woman, but now, there is more than one. I believe the number will increase gradually.”<\/p>\n\n\n\nOverview of the senate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
History of FCT Senators<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First elected female FCT senator<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Chief Franca Afegbua: First elected Nigerian female senator<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wuraola Esan: First appointed Nigerian female senator<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n