Abstract
The right to freedom from discrimination in political office and other decision-making bodies is a right belonging to all Nigerians, including women. It is a fundamental right justiciable under the Nigerian Constitution that there shall be no discrimination on grounds of gender. Unfortunately, the implementation of this right remains a distant reality, as women stand vulnerable among their male counterparts in the political arena. The representation of women in political office-holding in Nigeria has remained at the lowest ebb; studies reveal that as at 2025, women occupy only 4 seats out of 109 in the Senate, representing a mere 2.7%, while in the House of Representatives, women occupy 16 seats out of 469, representing a meagre 4.7%. The unfair treatment of women in political positions stems from the fragile nature of women’s ability to compete with their male counterparts, who clandestinely regard ingress into the male-dominated political system as an aberration of cultural values and norms. Women constitute almost half of the population, yet they are grossly under-represented in the decision-making bodies of the country. This doctrinal research reveals that in other jurisdictions such as Rwanda, South Africa, and Cabo Verde, women are well represented and are given meaningful avenues to participate in political affairs. In the case of Nigeria, there is a systemic exclusion of women from various decision-making bodies, and to further compound the torment and marginalization meted out to women in Nigerian public offices, there are persecutions ranging from sexual harassment to physical assault. It is the recommendation of this paper that the Nigerian government should apply the political will to implement the provisions of Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution as well as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). It is further recommended that women be given their rightful place of equality in political affairs, so that the country may advance on the path to sustainability. Women are intelligent, proactive, and accomplished in all areas of endeavour, including politics.