Bill for reserved seats crucial to inclusion – Advocates
By Abujah Racheal
Stakeholders advocating for the passage of the Special Seats Bill have described the proposed legislation as a critical litmus test for the integrity and inclusiveness of Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking at a media conference in Abuja on Monday, themed “The Special Seats Bill: An Urgent Call to Action for Women’s Representation,” stakeholders urged political leaders and citizens alike to support the bill.
They emphasised the need for unified action, drawing parallels to the successful Not-Too-Young-To-Run movement, which demonstrated the power of collective advocacy in driving legislative change.
Mrs Irene Awunah-Ikegh, President of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), said lawmakers, political parties, and citizens must support the constitutional amendment, which sought to reserve seats for women in the National Assembly.
Awunah-Ikegh, who also serves as a campaign leader under a UN Women-supported initiative, said the bill was essential to correcting Nigeria’s persistent gender imbalance in political representation.
“The ongoing constitutional review presents a unique opportunity to embed gender equity in our governance systems.
“The President rightly described this bill as a litmus test for Nigeria’s democratic values. Just as we succeeded with the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill, we must now unite to ensure women have a seat at the decision-making table,” she said.
Ms Evelyn Ugben, a representative of RACE Africa, noted that the campaign had expanded beyond Abuja to several states.
She added that it was now in its advocacy phase, engaging religious institutions, political parties, and legislators across state and federal levels.
“We’re not just meeting lawmakers; we’re reaching the people who elect them.
“The electorate must understand that how their representatives vote on this bill will shape the 2027 elections. Voters must begin holding leaders accountable,” she said.
She stressed that grassroots women were not passive observers, but active players in reshaping Nigeria’s political future.
“We’re encouraging women to start at the ward level, take up leadership roles, and rise through the ranks.
“That’s how we change the political ecosystem from the bottom up.”
Mrs Angelina Ugben, Executive Director of Inclusive Skills Initiatives, connected the bill’s success to broader electoral reforms, particularly the real-time electronic transmission of election results.
“When people trust that their votes count, they are more likely to be invested in the system.
“That’s why we are aligning this campaign with broader efforts to strengthen the Electoral Act.”
Mrs Chizoba Ogbeche, Vice President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone D, said the campaign was focused on grassroots endorsements, community dialogues, and securing support from traditional, political, and religious leaders.
“We are not asking for charity, we are demanding fairness, inclusion, and representation,” she said.
As the nation approaches another key constitutional review, Ogbeche said the Special Seats Bill presented an opportunity to redefine Nigeria’s political culture and build a truly representative democracy where women’s voices were no longer marginalised but amplified.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Special Seats Bill, sponsored by Rep. Akintunde Rotimi, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to add six special seats in the House of Representatives.
These would be designated for underrepresented and marginalised groups: Women, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Youth, Senior Citizens, Indigenous Peoples/Minorities, and Civil Society Organisations.
If passed, the bill would introduce Section 48A into the Constitution, institutionalising inclusion and expanding representation in national legislation.
The bill also aligns with Nigeria’s international obligations, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 16 (inclusive institutions). (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
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