His Excellency,
Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan
President of the Senate,
The Senate,
National Assembly Complex,
Three-Arms Zone,
Abuja.

AN OPEN LETTER ON THE IMBALANCE IN NOMINATION FOR APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN AND THIRTY-SEVEN (37) MEMBERS OF FEDERAL CHARACTER COMMISSION (FCC)

We write to protest the imbalance in the nomination for appointment of the Chairman and Thirty-Seven (37) members of the Federal Character Commission, by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as widely circulated in the media, We observed that out of the 37 nominees only 4 of them are women .

We are of the opinion that the appointment does not meet the minimum 35% affirmative action on gender as stipulated by the National Gender Policy (2006) and other international instrument as signed and ratified by Nigeria, we therefore urge you to use your power to request for a balanced and gender inclusive list and to reject and not confirm the nominees. The list is also not representative of the promise by the president during his campaign, geared towards bridging the gaps in both elective and appointive positions.

As you may be aware sir, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, concretely enumerated strong provisions against discrimination on the grounds of sex, religion, ethnicity, age or circumstance of birth against any citizen as provided for in Chapter IV and more particularly in Section 42(1)(a)(b), (2) and (3). Furthermore Nigeria ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa and the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, all guaranteeing 35% inclusion of women in appointive positions and affirming protections for , women’s human rights . We believed that not having enough women’s representation equals to failing in the States obligation and also the President’s failing in his campaign promises to the Nigerian women. Furthermore, the action of the president is indicative of the fact that the country is not prepared to fulfill its international obligations undertaken through the ratification of the above Charters and Convention.

Gender based discrimination is a socio economic and political rights violation, a public health challenge and a barrier to civic, social, political and economic participation. It subverts the safety, dignity and nationality of women and also impacts on public health and economic stability.

Your Excellency considering the provisions of Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which enshrines the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status; and FURTHER CONSIDERING that Article 18 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights calls on all States Parties to eliminate every discrimination against women and to ensure the protection of the rights of women as stipulated in international declarations and conventions;

In this regard, we demand the following:

That your Excellency follows the 35% Affirmative action for women as prescribed by the National Gender Policy, (2006).

That the National Gender policy approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2006 be implemented in every sphere of your administration.

It is our hope that this kind of request will receive the usual kind expeditious consideration of the Distinguished Members of the Senate of the Federal Republic and also the Senate under your leadership has the opportunity to write its name in gold and leave behind a legacy that will remain indelible forever.