State, Women and Democracy in Nigeria, 1999-2007 Elijah Oluwaleke OKE B.Sc (PoL. Sc.) Ado, MPA (Ife), M.Sc (PoL. Sc.), Ibadan Matriculation No: 109736 Being a thesis in the Department of Political Science submitted to the Faculty of the Social Sciences, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy (PhD) of the University of Ibadan. December 2011 CERTIFICATION This is to certify that this study was carried out by Elijah Oluwaleke, OKE in the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan under my supervision. --------------------------------- ----------------------- SUPERVISOR DATE Dr. (Mrs.) A.I. Pogoson Department of Political Science University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria ii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my pillar: the Almighty God, the giver of life and the source of wisdom and knowledge. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord‟s name is to be praised”. (Psalm 113:3). It is on the above note that I wish to show my appreciation to God through whose guidance and protection this work is completed. I equally express my gratitude and appreciation to all those who contributed to the successful completion of this work. First in the series is Dr. (Mrs.) A. I. Pogoson, my supervisor, whom I have come to know as a woman of substance, who successfully combines academic challenges with the demands of the home. Dr. (Mrs.) Pogoson gave her total and unswerving support to this project to see the light of the day. She patiently and diligently went through the draft in its various stages and made useful comments and suggestions. Ma, your book loans to me as well as your efforts within and outside the University at facilitating the conduct of the research is highly appreciated. Words are definitely not enough to express my appreciation to you Ma. I say thank you and as the Almighty God lives with His words I decree that it shall be well with you, your home and all that is yours. Thanks indeed ma. I am also grateful to those who piloted my coming to this surface earth – my parents. To my late father: Samuel Oke, though dead, you are supportive; the biblical consolation of meeting you at the resurrection assuages daily, my agony and groaning of your physical presence. Your sojourn here on earth, though brief, has been indelible. Thanks for laying my foot on the path of righteousness, your diary is full of words that have been molding, and regulating my life at all times. Daddy lives on until we meet at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ. To you my mother – Rachael Oke – though you were made a widow at your prime, you preferred to be a „sheep‟ rather than a „goat‟, to use your words. This is because according to you, sheep seldom abandon their siblings. That you were able to successfully nurture the three of us committed to you by our father; your late husband attests to your virtue as a mother. You are indeed a mother in a billion. I pray the almighty God to spare your life and ours too to eat and enjoy the more what you have been enjoying – goodies from the children. You are indeed a mother and if I have a second chance, you will always be my mother. Your commitment and steadfastness has earned you the pride of producing the first PhD holder in the entire Oke lineage–what a feat! Mama I am indeed grateful. iv I am also grateful to all the staff members of the Department of Political Science. First my lecturers: Dr. O.B.C. Nwolise (H.O.D), Professor Bayo Okunade, Professor Alex Gboyega, Professor Adekanye, Professor Agbaje, Professor Osaghae E., Professor Rotimi Suberu, Dr. Onyeoziri, Dr (Mrs) Akintola, Dr. Lafehinwa, Mr. Oyekanmi, Mr. Atoyebi, Dr. Remi Aiyede, Dr. Idachaba, Dr. Isumonah, Dr. Ekweremadu, and those whose names are not easily remembered here. I say a big thank you for collective assistance in seeing me through this rigorous and challenging academic feat. God will envelope your lives with His goodness and mercy, Amen. In addition, I am indeed indebted, to the non-teaching staff of the Department especially Mr. Ajayi, Mr. Ade Emmanuel, and the Secretary, Staff of the faculty and those at the Post Graduate School, I say thank you. All your dreams and aspirations will be nurtured into fruition by the Almighty God. Thanks indeed. In addition, worthy of recognition are my colleagues in the Department of Political Science, Faculty of the Social Sciences University of Ado-Ekiti for their support and roles in seeing me through this course. Firstly, I honour Dr. Gboyega Isijola for being a benefactor and Professor Femi Mimiko for being inspirational. I am equally indebted to Professor A. A. Agagu for being humane, Professor Kunle Ajayi for his love, Dr. A. O. Olaleye for his understanding, Dr. Dele Adetoye for being so brotherly, Dr. Gbenga Olaoye for being supportive, Dr. A. O. Olaniyan for his encouragement, Yemi Ayodele for his concern, Mrs. Omoare for her genuine love and concern, Pastor A. O. Omowaye; my pastor, for his prayers and love, Mr. Ekundayo Abiodun for his efforts and Miss Olaitan. To those who derided me, I say thank you, those who motivated me you are wonderful and those who prayed for me the good Lord will crown your efforts with success. Thanks indeed. More so, I am offering my profound gratitude to colleagues from my second department; Department of Sociology. First, I appreciate Professor Wale Adesina, Dean Faculty of the Social Sciences, for his uniting and motivating roles in the Faculty, my big brother Dr. Olutoyin Adefolaju for his genuine love, motivation, encouragement, and assistance. I am indeed grateful, sir, the good Lord will crown your efforts with unimaginable successes. I am equally thanking Dr. Oluwadare for being there for me; the good Lord will perfect everything concerning you. Thanks indeed. v In the course of my research, a number of people were instrumental to my success. In the series are Hajia Gome of the Library Department; National Council for Women Development, Abuja, Mr. Alebiaro of the same Department, Mr. Abdulahi Lere; Personal Assistant to Hon. Saudatu Sanni – House Leader on Women Affairs, Mr. Ojo of the Research Department, National Assembly, Abuja, Dr. (Mrs) Lydia Umar, the Director Gender Action Team, Kaduna, Mrs. Abiola Afolabi-Akiyode of WARDC, Lagos, Hajia Ramatu Bala-Usman, national president National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Abuja, chief (Mrs.) Bisi Ogunleye, national president, Country Women Association of Nigeria, Akure, Princess Akinnagbe of NCWS, Barrister (Mrs) Joy Ngozi Ezeilo of WACOL, Enugu, Barrister (Mrs) Martina Mamman, WACOL Abuja, Mr. Wole Oluwasuji, Barrister (Hon.) Taiwo Kayode, etc. I say thank you all. My appreciation also goes to my sisters and brothers especially Mrs. Aduloju and Mrs. Adegoke for their tremendous support and contributions. I am equally grateful to prince Adegoke, Mr. Aduloju, Mr. Deji Ogundiran and Julius Amonimo for their support and understanding. More so, Tola my lovely wife and the children – Tooni, Bukola, Folahan and Semoore – have been very wonderful with their unalloyed support and prayers in the course of this study. The almighty God will bless you all. I am indebted to all those authors whose works are referenced in the report. Finally, I give thanks, praise and adoration to the sufficient God for keeping me through this course. „Leke OKE December 2011 vi List of Tables Table 1.1: Table 1.0: NGOs with the interviewed leaders and the key informants Table 1.2: Table 1.1 Questionnaire Distributed, Retrieved, and Analyzed per zone Table 2.1: Gender Disparity in Core Development Indicators Table 3.1: Number of Men and Women Elected in 1999 Elections Table 3.2: Gender Distribution of the Senators (2003 - 2007) Table 3:3: Distribution of Honourable Members by Gender (2003 - 2007) Table 4.1: Percentage of Women & Men in selected Federal Ministries Table 4.2: Number and percentage of female candidates who successfully contested in the 1999, 2003, and 2007 General Elections Table 4.3: Statistics of students‟ enrolment survey in Polytechnics in Nigeria Table 5.1: Number of Women elected in 1999, 2003, and 2007 Nigerian Elections Table 5.2: Numbers of Men and Women in the State Houses of Assembly and National Assembly (1999-2007) Table 5.4.1: The Distribution of the respondents showing their individual characteristics. Table 5.4.2: Respondents‟ response to question on the level of women political participation under the Obasanjo presidency Table 5.4.3: The Distribution of Respondents on whether they believe in more women active participation in politics Table 5.4.4: The distribution of the respondents on the highest position a woman can attain in politics and governance Table 5.4.5: The distribution of respondents on whether or not democracy can lead to more women participation in politics Table 5.4.6: Distribution of Respondents on what can be done to enhance more women participation in governance Table 5.4.7: Distribution of Respondents on the society perception of women politicians Table 5.4.8: The distribution of Respondents on whether their spouse support political participation Table 5.4.9: The distribution of Respondents on whether or not cultural influence on women political participation can be mitigated. Table 5.5.0: Distribution of respondents on the possibility of women combining household responsibilities with active participation in politics vii List of Abbreviations ACN - Action Congress of Nigeria AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AG - Action Group APGA - All Progressive Grand Alliance AU - African Union BLP - Better Life Programme CEDAW- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.