By Naomi Sharang
Mrs Osasu Igbinedion-Ogwuche, National Convener and Lead Advocate of the Reserved Seats for Women Coalition, has sought the support of President Bola Tinubu for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.
She also rallied the backing of Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to ensure the bill scales through the legislative process.
This is contained in a statement issued by Igbinedion-Ogwuche’s Media Office on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the statement, Igbinedion-Ogwuche secured public endorsements from Uzodimma, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, and Makinde of Oyo State, describing the development as a rare alliance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The statement added that Uzodimma reaffirmed his commitment to the bill and disclosed that President Tinubu had pledged full support.
He also confirmed that all 27 Progressive Governors, whose state caucuses commanded over two-thirds of the National Assembly, had resolved to back the campaign by urging their lawmakers to vote “Yes” on Dec. 9.
Uzodimma’s endorsement, the statement noted, signaled growing bipartisan momentum for the bill, given his influential role within the APC and his position as President Tinubu’s first Renewed Hope Ambassador.
Similarly, during a courtesy visit in Ibadan by Igbinedion-Ogwuche and the Reserved Seats for Women Coalition, Makinde reaffirmed the opposition PDP’s support, saying his administration remained committed to meaningful women’s inclusion based on their proven capacity to drive development.
The Reserved Seats for Women Bill seeks to amend Nigeria’s Constitution to create 182 additional seats for women in the National Assembly and state legislatures.
With women currently occupying only 3.8 per cent of federal legislative seats, ranking Nigeria 178th out of 182 countries globally, the bill is considered a transformative step toward equity and representative governance. (NAN)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
