Introduction to the Special Seats Bill
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is optimistic that the National and State Assemblies would pass the Special Seats Bill aimed at increasing women’s political representation by creating additional, temporary legislative seats exclusively for women in the National Assembly and the state Houses of Assembly. The Bill seeks to add 37 seats to the Senate, 74 seats to the House of Representatives, and seats to the state Houses of Assembly, all to be contested only by women.
Addressing Barriers to Women’s Participation
At an interactive session with journalists at the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja, the National Deputy Women Leader of the party, Hajia Zainab Abubakar Ibrahim, explained that the APC has taken steps to address the barriers being faced by women regarding participation in decision making and the governance of the country. Stating that the exclusion of women in governance is a global phenomenon, she explained that the party’s resolve to hand out nomination and expression of interest forms to female candidates is aimed at achieving the goal.
Financial Barriers and Party Support
Acknowledging that most women had not been able to make successful bids against men due to financial barriers, she reiterated her resolve to sustain the advocacy on the need to ensure women inclusiveness and participation in the governance of the country. The woman leader expressed optimism that the bill on seat reservation would be speedily passed into law by both the National Assembly and the state Houses of Assembly. She said: “One of the major barriers is the financial barrier. Women are not financially buoyant; we are not financially independent to venture into politics. We all know that it is very capitalist and highly capital intensive. That is why my party has given a zero-nomination form to every woman who wants to contest an election.
Advocacy and Party Commitment
Our party also has a women’s wing advocating for women. We have undertaken a lot of advocacy visits to the National Assembly and even to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. We are leading in the two chambers of the National Assembly and that is why we have the majority leaders who are members of our parties. So, we have advocated to the NWC to work with our members in the House of Representatives and the Senate to support the Bill so that it can be speedily passed at both the National Assembly and the state Houses of Assembly.
Expected Outcomes and Presidential Support
The big plus is that we have a very, very extremely gender-friendly President who, in his wisdom, allowed his wife to go into the Senate for three terms. So my party is behind us and is supporting the bill strongly, and by the grace of God, before Mr. President finishes his first tenure, before he gets into his second tenure, this bill is going to be passed, and Mr. President will be celebrated for that.
Conclusion
The Special Seats Bill is a significant step towards increasing women’s representation in Nigerian politics. With the APC’s support and the President’s gender-friendly stance, there is optimism that the bill will be passed into law, paving the way for more women to participate in the country’s governance.
FAQs
- Q: What is the Special Seats Bill?
A: The Special Seats Bill aims to increase women’s political representation by creating additional, temporary legislative seats exclusively for women in the National Assembly and the state Houses of Assembly. - Q: How many seats will be added to the Senate and the House of Representatives?
A: The Bill seeks to add 37 seats to the Senate and 74 seats to the House of Representatives. - Q: What is the main barrier to women’s participation in politics?
A: According to the National Deputy Women Leader, the main barrier is the financial barrier, as women are not financially buoyant to venture into politics. - Q: What support has the APC given to female candidates?
A: The APC has given zero-nomination forms to every woman who wants to contest an election, aiming to encourage women to participate in appointive and elective positions.
