35% AFFIRMATIVE ACTION GOAL FOR WOMEN IN ELECTIVE POSITIONS. LET THE WOMEN BREATH DO NOT SUFFOCATE THEM.

The history of gender representation in the Abia State House of Assembly (ABHA) since the return to democracy in 1999 reveals a persistent gap between the 35% affirmative action goals and the electoral reality. Despite national policies and local advocacy, the number of women in the legislative chamber has remained critically low, often hitting zero.

Historical Overview: The history from 1999 to Present
The Early Years (1999–2026): At the inception of the 4th Republic, the assembly was almost entirely male-dominated. While a few women across Nigeria began breaking into federal positions (such as Abia’s Nkeiruka Onyejeocha in the House of Representatives), the state-level legislature in Umuahia saw very little female participation.
The “Peak” Period (2011–2019): This era represented a slight breakthrough for female representation in Abia.
Hon. Blessing Nwagba (Aba North) and Hon. Grace Uche (Umuahia Central) were elected during this period, representing 8%.
Hon. Nwagba, in particular, served two terms, providing a rare consistent female voice in the 24-member house.
The Recent Decline (2019–2026): Representation has regressed significantly in the last two election cycles.
9th Assembly (2019–2023): Zero female members.
10th Assembly (2023–2027): Zero female members.

The 35% Affirmative Action Framework.
The National Gender Policy (2006) officially adopted the 35% Affirmative Action target, following the 1995 Beijing Declaration (which initially set a 30% target). This policy mandates that 35% of elective and appointive positions should be reserved for women.
In the context of the Abia State House of Assembly’s 24 seats, achieving 35% representation would require at least 8 female members.

Barriers to Implementation in Abia.
Several factors have prevented the realization of this 35% benchmark in the state legislature:
Party Primaries: High costs of nomination forms and the “godfatherism” culture within major political parties often disadvantage female aspirants before they reach the general election.
Structural Imbalance: Legislative seats in Abia are often tied to complex zoning arrangements between various clans and local governments, where male candidates are traditionally prioritized.
Security and Stigma: The high-stakes, sometimes volatile nature of local election campaigns in urban centers like Aba and Umuahia can act as a deterrent for many women.

Current Status and Discourse (2026)
As of 2026, the conversation in Abia has shifted toward legislative reform. Because the 10th Assembly currently has 0% female representation, there is increasing pressure on the State Independent Electoral Commission and political parties to adopt “Gender Sensitization” frameworks.
While the executive arm of the Abia State government has made efforts to include women in the State cabinet and as heads of agencies, the legislative branch remains the most significant hurdle for gender parity in the state’s democratic structure.

HIs Excellency , the governor of Abia State Dr, Alex Chioma Otti has made gender inclusion a central pillar of his administration’s rhetoric and policy. Most notably, in recent months (April 2026), he has moved beyond general advocacy to issuing direct challenges to the legislative and political structures of Abia State to rectify gender imbalances.

The Governor of Abia State Dr. Alex Otti has specifically addressed women’s participation in politics and elective positions in many forums…:
1. Stakeholders’ Engagement on Women’s Political Participation (April 21, 2026)
In this recent and highly publicized address, Governor Otti called for a “Practical Commitment” to gender inclusion rather than mere rhetoric.
The Message: He argued that sustainable national development is impossible without women in leadership.
The Challenge to Men: He urged men currently occupying political spaces to “deliberately create space” and, if necessary, step aside to ensure women are not excluded from the 2027 general elections.
Barriers: He identified the current low number of women in elective positions as a “major setback” for Nigeria’s democratic growth.

2. Address to the Abia State House of Assembly (April 9, 2026)
During a gathering where he addressed the leadership of the State House of Assembly, the Governor was blunt about the current 100% male occupancy of the 24 seats in the House.
Direct Quote: “Today, 24 of you (House members) are men. So, the Right Honourable Speaker, you have a challenge in your hands… You either create more constituencies, or you ask some men to step down for women as we approach 2027.”
Target Goal: He proposed that the state should aim for at least 4 out of 24 seats to be held by women as a starting point to ending the “zero representation” status.

3. International Women’s Day Speech (March 8, 2026)
Celebrating the theme of inclusion, Governor Otti highlighted that his government treats women as “special and spectacular.”
Administrative Record: He cited his appointments as evidence of his commitment, noting that women in his cabinet are not just “tokens” but hold strategic positions in Health, Education, Agriculture, and Poverty Alleviation.
Integration: He stated that women’s energies and talents are “harnessed and put to good use” for state development, emphasizing that their contributions justify the confidence his administration reposes in them.

4. National Association of Women Judges (NAWJN) Workshop (October 25, 2024)
While technically a legal forum, the Governor used this platform to discuss broader leadership imbalances.
The “Multiplier” Philosophy: Echoing Dr. Myles Munroe, he stated: “Whatever you give to a woman, she will receive it, multiply it, and give it back to you.”
Historical Context: He invoked the 1929 Aba Women’s Uprising, reminding the audience that Abia is a home to “bold and productive women who will never accept to be relegated.”

5. 2024 International Women’s Day Goodwill Message (March 9, 2024)
This speech provided the first clear statistical breakdown of his gender-sensitive policies.
Civil Service Reform: He noted that out of 24 Permanent Secretaries in the state, 17 are women—a ratio he described as unprecedented in the history of the Abia State civil service.
Policy Support: He mentioned the payment of counterpart funds for the “Nigeria for Women Project” (NFWP), aimed at improving livelihoods and influencing social norms regarding gender equality.

The Summary of Key Themes in his Speeches:Theme Governor Otti’s Stance
Legislative Imbalance Calls the 24-0 male-to-female ratio in the House of Assembly unacceptable.
2027 Elections Demands that political parties and men “step aside” to allow female candidates.
Economic Logic Argues that women are “multipliers” of resources and essential for state growth.
Administrative Power Points to the 17/24 female Permanent Secretaries as a model for the private and political sectors.The speeches of Dr. Alex Otti regarding gender participation are backed by several administrative frameworks, policy documents, and legislative actions. These documents provide the “how” behind his public advocacy for women in politics and economic leadership.

Below are specific administrative and policy documents related to the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) and other state-level gender initiatives:
1. Statutory & Legislative Frameworks.
These documents provide the legal basis for gender-focused protection and political space in Abia State.
Abia State Rehabilitation Centre Law (April 2026): Governor Otti recently signed into law the bill establishing the Abia State Centre for the Rehabilitation of Survivors of Rape, Defilement, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking. This is the primary legal document for survivor support.
The “4-in-24” Legislative Directive: While not yet a gazette law, this is an official executive policy challenge issued to the State House of Assembly. It sets a formal target to move from the current 0% female representation to at least 16.6% (4 seats) by the 2027 elections.

2. Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) Policy Documents.
The NFWP is a World Bank-supported initiative where Abia serves as a pilot state. The policy revolves around the Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) model.
Counterpart Funding Agreement: The administrative document confirming the release of state funds to trigger World Bank support. Governor Otti fulfilled this obligation in early 2024 to ensure the project’s scale-up.
Community Operations Manual (COMs): This is the technical guide for the NFWP Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU). It outlines how the state manages the project in the pilot LGAs of Isialangwa, Obingwa, and Ohafia.
Livelihood Grant Framework: Under this policy, the state provides direct financial grants (averaging ₦100,000) to women in rural clusters to transition them from subsistence to structured entrepreneurship.

3. Economic Empowerment & Matching Funds
The ₦4 Billion Matching Fund Scheme: An administrative partnership between the Abia State Government and the Safe Tent Care Initiative (led by Mrs. Priscilla Otti). This policy document defines the criteria for female-led SMEs to access low-interest capital and business development services.
Agri-Market Reform Initiative: A policy framework specifically for women farmers. It focuses on administrative support for improved storage facilities and direct market access, reducing the reliance on middle-men in the food supply chain.

4. Administrative Circulars on Civil Service
Circular on Permanent Secretary Appointments: The executive order that resulted in 17 out of 24 (70%) Permanent Secretary positions being held by women. This is frequently cited as the administration’s “blueprint” for gender-based professionalization of the public sector.
E-Governance & Digital Inclusion Plan: A policy aimed at training female civil servants in digital literacy to ensure that gender inclusion matches the technological modernization of the state’s infrastructure.

While official INEC and ABSIEC regulations for 2027 are still in the drafting and stakeholder-review phases, several “pre-guideline” frameworks and legislative pushes have emerged that will likely dictate the final rules.
Here are the specific developments worth examining:
1. The “Women’s Seat Bill” (Federal Level)
As of early 2026, there is a renewed push in the National Assembly to pass the Special Seats for Women Bill before the 2027 primary season began.
The Goal: To create additional seats in the National and State Houses of Assembly specifically reserved for women.
Relevance: If passed, this would fundamentally change the elective landscape, shifting from a purely competitive model to a hybrid quota system.
2. The “4-in-24” Strategy (Abia State)
Following Dr. Alex Otti’s address to the Abia State House of Assembly in April 2026, a specific state-level framework is being discussed to ensure women’s representation isn’t just accidental.

Targeted Constituencies: There are discussions around identifying “priority constituencies” where parties will be encouraged (or mandated via internal guidelines) to field only female candidates.
Administrative Quotas: His Excellency Governor Dr Alex Chioma Otti has challenged the state’s political leadership to ensure that at least 16.6% (4 out of 24) of the seats in the House are held by women by 2027.
3. Emerging Party-Level Guidelines.
Some political parties have already released preliminary 2027 guidelines that act as a litmus test for others:
Fee Waivers: Most major parties are adopting the policy of free expression of interest and nomination forms for female aspirants.
Mandatory Inclusion: New internal party rules (such as those seen in the Youth Party and emerging Labor factions) require at least three women on every screening and primary election committee.
4. The 35% Affirmative Action Implementation
The INEC Gender Policy (2021-2025) is currently under review for a 2026–2030 update. The draft indicates a more aggressive stance on the 35% Affirmative Action stipulated by the National Gender Policy (2006).
Voter Education: There is a specific focus on “Gender-Sensitive Voter Education” to counteract social norms that discourage women from running in rural or high-security corridors.
Security for Women: For 2027, there are proposed guidelines for “Gender-Responsive Security Architecture” to ensure female candidates are protected from the intimidation often used to force them out of races.

Having read through the efforts made by the State governor in re-presenting the 35% Affirmative Action Goal For Women Elective representation, charity they said begins at home. Still… Who will bala the CAT.
There are three (3) female aspirants in the Labor Party that has indicated interest for the ticket of the Labor Party (LP) to contest for Abia State House of Assembly come 2027. I’m very convinced that the State governor Dr Alex Chioma Otti will match his speeches with action as the “Ekwueme” governor that he is Called.

I cross my fingers watching with total confidence that the 2027 election, Abia State House of Assembly members will include three (3) female members…..so shall it be.