By| Goodluck E Adubazi | Abuja.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed its commitment to greater inclusion of women in Nigerian politics, calling on women across the country to play a more active role in shaping the nation’s future as Nigeria joins the world to mark International Women’s Day.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said Nigerian women continue to shoulder a significant share of the nation’s social and economic responsibilities but remain underrepresented in key political and leadership positions.
The party stressed that moving women from the margins to the center of leadership is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
According to the statement, the composition of the ADC’s National Working Committee reflects a deliberate effort to promote women’s participation in leadership and decision-making within the party.
The ADC noted that it is the only political party in Nigeria whose constitution explicitly reserves 40 percent of all party positions at every level for women, describing the policy as a concrete demonstration of its commitment to gender inclusion.
The party also highlighted the contributions of Nigerian women across different sectors of society, including mothers, entrepreneurs, teachers, healthcare professionals, and other professionals who sustain communities and the broader economy.
“From the mothers who raise our communities to the entrepreneurs who power our markets, and the teachers, doctors, and professionals who keep our society running, Nigerian women continue to carry a disproportionate share of the nation’s burden,” the statement said.
Despite these contributions, the ADC noted that women remain significantly underrepresented in positions where critical decisions about the country’s future are made.
The party maintained that empowering women politically is vital for national progress, noting that a country with a population of more than 200 million cannot reach its full potential when half of its citizens are not adequately represented in governance.
The ADC therefore used the occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day, celebrated under the theme #GiveToGain, to reaffirm its commitment to building a political culture that enables women to lead and fully participate in national development.
The party also called on more Nigerian women to join its ranks and contribute to building a more inclusive and representative political system.
“When Nigerian women rise, our entire nation rises with them,” the statement added.
