By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
A Federal High Court Abuja, has ruled that the Nigerian government has obligations to implement the 35% affirmative action policy in appointment into political offices.
Justice Donatus Okorowo accused successive Nigerian governments of acting in breach of international treaties on women participation in government.
Consequently, the Court ordered that henceforth government must not make appointments that violates the 35% affirmative action.
The plaintiffs, Incorporated Trustees of Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Women Empowerment Legal Aid, and Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa, among others had sued the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation as defendants in the suit.
Justice Okorowo in his judgment, yesterday dismissed the preliminary objections raised by the defendants in the matter.
The court held that the National Gender Policy is not merely a policy statement, but one that must be backed with requisite action on the part of government.
He said the 35% affirmative action which entails increased appointive positions for women to ensure inclusivity, must therefore translate to increased commitment of the government being a signatory to international treaties particularly those on promoting the rights of women.
He, therefore, agreed with the plaintiffs that the lopsided appointments by the Buhari led government was unlawful and an arbitrary violation of the National Gender Policy 2006, sections 42, 147 (3) and 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, and Articles 2, 13 (2) and (3) and Article 19 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights.
In the charge suit, the plaintiffs had sought the court order, ensuring the 35 per cent affirmative action policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria as contained in Sections 42, 147 (3) and 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the National Gender Policy, 2006, in the governance of the country, among others, reliefs which were all granted.
