APC Deputy Women Leader Advocates Twinning Formula for Gender Inclusion I Politics

The Deputy National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Zainab Ibrahim, has ardently championed the implementation of a “twinning formula” as an expedient measure to promote women’s participation and gender parity in the political arena.

She elucidated that the twinning formula is a strategy embraced by certain political entities worldwide, which entails reserving deputy positions for women. This initiative seeks the appointment of female vice presidents, deputy governors, and vice chairpersons.

During an interactive session with journalists in Abuja last weekend, she emphasized that had the APC embraced this formula, there would have been 24 female deputy governors in the states governed by the APC.

The APC Deputy National Women Leader asserted that beyond advocating for special seats, her office is fervently campaigning for the adoption of the twinning formula nationwide.

“In addition to our advocacy for special seats, we are vigorously promoting the twinning formula. This approach does not necessitate any legislative action by the National Assembly.

It requires nothing more than a policy decision by a political party.

“I first encountered this formula in New York in 2016 at a conference where I met the female Vice President of The Gambia. I inquired how she attained her position in an Islamic nation, and she explained that all governors have female deputies due to the ruling party’s adoption of the twinning formula.

“Thus, it is merely a policy declaration by the party, which then takes effect. If my party, the APC, were to adopt the twinning formula, with 24 states under its governance, we would have 24 female deputy governors.

“In my view, the twinning formula represents the most accessible means of enhancing women’s political inclusion, and we are diligently pursuing it. While the Special Seats Bill will eventually receive legislative endorsement, a party’s policy is subject to alteration, which is why we are focusing more on the Special Seats Bill,” she explained.

She further elaborated, “We are also engaging in high-level advocacy for the twinning formula, as nations like Namibia and Rwanda, which have achieved over 50 percent female representation, have embraced this approach. By the grace of God, it could be realized even more swiftly than the special seats bill.”

“We have witnessed the adoption of the twinning formula in some states, such as when Yahaya Bello was governor in Kogi, where all Local Government chairpersons had female deputies. This is what we refer to as the twinning formula. We now anticipate its establishment as a policy, particularly among Nigeria’s leading political parties that command a significant number of states,” Ibrahim noted.

She expressed optimism that once the formula is realized, it will become a decisive factor for women’s support in future elections.

“Any governor who pledges to appoint a female deputy and ensures that all local government vice chairpersons are women will undoubtedly receive our unwavering support.

“I am confident that Mr. President will soon adopt this initiative, and you will witness the overwhelming support of Nigerian women for Mr. President, by the grace of God,” Ibrahim concluded.