By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that one of the main reasons many female politicians in Nigeria find it hard to win elections is that women themselves often vote for men instead of supporting their fellow women.
Speaking on Tuesday while receiving members of the European Union Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Mr David McAllister, at the National Assembly in Abuja, Akpabio expressed concern about the low number of women in politics.
“Women often vote for male candidates, making it difficult for female candidates to win elections,” he said.
He pointed out that even though women make up almost half of Nigeria’s voting population, their representation in government has remained very low.
At present, only four of the 109 senators and 17 of the 360 members of the House of Representatives are women — a figure that has barely improved in the last 20 years.
Akpabio said the National Assembly is working to change that narrative by creating better opportunities for women to participate in politics and governance.
According to him, the move would include “innovative measures and possible constitutional amendments” that would promote gender balance and inclusion.
He also said the legislature is ready to partner with advocacy groups like the Black Women’s Forum and other organisations to encourage more women to contest elections and secure a fair place in leadership.