NIGERIAN WOMEN, CSOs, STAKEHOLDERS CONTINUE LITIGATION ON INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

Nigerian women, stakeholders and civil society organizations were in court on 7 July 2021 to continue the litigation process on inclusive governance in Nigeria. The litigation process which commenced on 2 December 2020, in Abuja is set to achieve a milestone on the interpretations of the laws on women’s inclusion in leadership and decision-making positions in Nigeria’s governance process.

The hearing of the case which has been stalled by the COVID 19 Pandemic and the judiciary strike was mentioned for hearing at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Relief sought by the plaintiffs are as follows:

1. a. A DECLARATION that the failure of the 1st defendant to implement the 35percent affirmative action policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria is illegal, unlawful, null and an arbitrary violation of the National Gender Policy, 2006

2. A DECLARATION that the failure of the 1st defendant to implement the 35percent affirmative action policy of the federal Government of Nigeria is illegal, unlawful and a violation of sections 42, 147 (3) and 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Article 19 of the Adrian Charter of Human and People’s Rights.

3. A DECLARATION that the overwhelmingly predominant appointment of the male gender into decision making positions of the Federation is wrong, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void as it violates Sections 42,147(3) and 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Article 19 of the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights and does not violate the right of yeh female gender of equal access to public office.

4. AN INJUNCTION restraining the 1st Defendant from further exercising the Constitutional and Statutory power of appointment in a manner violative of the 35 percent affirmative action policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria as contained in the National Gender Policy, 2006.

5. AN ORDER MANDATING the respondents to henceforth comply with the principle of equality of the sexes in all appointments in compliance with Sections 42,147 (3) and 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Article 19 of the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights.

6. AND ANY OTHER ORDER (S) this Honourable Court may make in the circumstance of the case.

The Towards Inclusive Governance in Nigeria is founded from the Legal Strategy Team which is a diverse group of stakeholders with deep interest in ensuring that Nigeria practices an inclusive governance.

The case which was mentioned in Court today has been adjourned to 29 September 2021 for hearing.

Signed

List of Co – Plaintiff Organisations on behalf of Nigerian women and critical stakeholders

1. Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF)

2. Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA)

3. Women in Politics Forum

4. Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD- WEST AFRICA)

5. Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC)

6. Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI)

7. YIAGA, Africa

8. International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)

9. 100 Women Lobby Group