WOMEN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA (2007-2011)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The fate of the Nigeria women for the past 45 years cannot be described as the best but it can be said to be much better than what is obtainable in some third world countries.  It is of a believe that women are sex symbols whose paramount place is either in the kitchen or in their husband’s bed, the Nigeria women have blossomed into what can comfortably be described as independent for over forty five (45) years after Nigeria’s independence.  Women accepted whatever attitude, belief, biases and treatment meted out to them until recently when Nigerian women have gradually become more aware of this right and places in society.

To the average Nigeria man, any woman who knows her political rights and asks is quickly regarded as “Tomboyish” and quickly labeled “woman rebel” during the colonial era, much was not heard of woman in Nigerian politics except few occasion when they stood their ground to protest one incident or another.

In Africa, women had made history in politics often times, it is associated with violence and military incursion for example, in 1929 over 10,000 ibibio and Igbo women reacted over taxation rumor which resulted into the killing of about 26 of them.

In 1973, the agitation from the Northern Nigeria women brought about formation of Northern People Congress (NPC) and Northern Elements of Progressive Union (NEPU).

The world body recognizes that women need a sort of special support in view of the fact that they are often discriminated against in many part of the world even the so-called civilized world.

The above statement had established that fact that all over the world women are discriminated against and need special training, support and encouragement to attain political heights like their male counterparts.

In Nigeria, the women folk has been greatly alienated, discriminated, subjected and non inclusive in the general administration of the state affairs.  The female folk on their side have been on constant agitation and struggle for economic improvement and social recognition within the state polity.

The research works will then unveil the nature and character of the Nigerian politics with a view at assessing the degree of women participation and training in political activities of the state.  At the end of the assessment workable solutions will be preferred on how best to improve their lot in the countryespecially with regard to political participation.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

A close observation of the degree of political participation and training of women in Nigeria tend to reveal that women have not been actively involved in the process of sharpening the political system.  This disparity between women and non-political participation has been a subject of controversy and debates among scholars, politicians, analysts and stakeholders in Nigeria.

Since 1999 when the present civilian government came into power after a long period of military regime, women politicians in Nigeria like their counterparts in other part of the federation have continued to express dismay over the low participation and alienation of women in the politics of the state. 

Significantly women apathy and alienation in politics has been attributed to some factors such as colonial system of economic and political exclusion of women in the control and management of state, the post colonial system of exclusion, the religions cultural enslavement of women, the contemporary economic deprivation, the educational disempowerment and social discrimination.

1.3   OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major aim of the study is to examine women in political participation and national development. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1. To find out if women are actively involved in the politics of Nigeria and what impact they have created.
2. To find out if there still exists colonial and post-colonial system of social discrimination against women in the politics of Nigeria.
3. To find out the strategies to be adopted in order to ensure active participation of women in the politics of Nigeria.
4. To examine the relationship between women political participation and national development in Nigeria

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Are women actively involved in the politics of Nigeria and what impact they have created?
2. Does the colonial and post-colonial system of Nigeria encourage the social discrimination against women in the politics of Nigeria?
3. What are the strategies to be adopted in order to ensure active participation of women in the politics of Nigeria?
4. What is the relationship between women political participation and national development in Nigeria?

1.5   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The work would be of immense importance towards the total incorporation of women in the political participation of Nigeria, as it would reveal the role of women towards nation building. The research would also greatly benefit students, researchers and scholars who are interested in developing further studies on gender and political participation in Nigeria through the contribution to literature.

1.6   SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study on women political participation and national development in Nigeria from 2007-2011 using Nigeria as the case study

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.