Introduction to the Women Reserved Seats Bill
A civil society organisation (CSO), Reserved Seats for Women Bill Campaign Coalition, has called on the National Assembly to pass the bill before the end of February to ensure its implementation during the 2027 general elections. National Convener of the coalition, Chief Osasu Igbinedion-Ogwuche, made the call at a roundtable with media executives in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Bill’s Objective
The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, seeks to create 74 additional seats for women in the National Assembly and 108 additional seats across the 36 State Houses of Assembly. Igbinedion-Ogwuche warned that any further delay beyond next month would “operationalise a failure” for women’s representation until 2031.
Importance of Passing the Bill
Igbinedion-Ogwuche emphasized the importance of passing the bill on time, stating that it is crucial for women to participate in the 2027 general elections. She noted that women with the brilliance and capacity have tried time and time again to come out, but because of violence, religion, and tradition, most of them are never successful. The reserved seats would not be for any particular political party, and all registered political parties would sponsor candidates for the positions.
Current State of Women’s Participation in Politics
Igbinedion-Ogwuche decried Nigeria’s current ranking in women’s political participation, particularly in Africa, describing it as ‘the bottom of the barrel’. Women make up 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population, but unfortunately, they assume only four per cent of seats in parliament. The numbers are staggering, with only 16 out of 360 members in the House of Representatives being women, and only four out of the 109 senators being women.
Challenges and Opposition
The national convener acknowledged the past failures of similar bills in the Eighth and Ninth Assemblies and noted that the current advocacy had moved beyond the “lack of consultation” excuse. She said that the group had secured the “vocal assent” of key stakeholders, including President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.
Support and Collaboration
Igbinedion-Ogwuche highlighted the collaboration with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who publicly endorsed the bill, emphasizing that anyone using religion to subdue women is not in line with the Muslim faith. This message has been crucial in engaging the core North and shifting mindsets among conservative lawmakers.
Socio-Economic Benefits
The national convener cited research from the World Bank and McKinsey, suggesting that including women in decision-making could add 229 billion dollars to Nigeria’s GDP over the next decade. She urged the media to keep the issue on the front burner through flagship programmes and investigative reporting within the next 30 days to ensure the passage of the bill by the national assembly.
Role of the Media
The Managing Director of TOS Group, Mr. Kingsley Sintim, reaffirmed the media’s role as a key ally in driving recognition and public understanding of the reform. He stressed the need for unified messaging, human-centred story-telling, and sustained public education across geo-political, cultural, and linguistic divides.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the passage of the Women Reserved Seats Bill is crucial for increasing women’s participation in politics and promoting gender inclusion in Nigeria. The bill has the potential to add significant value to the country’s GDP and promote socio-economic development. It is essential that the National Assembly passes the bill before the end of February to ensure its implementation during the 2027 general elections.
FAQs
Q: What is the objective of the Women Reserved Seats Bill?
A: The bill seeks to create 74 additional seats for women in the National Assembly and 108 additional seats across the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
Q: Why is it essential to pass the bill before the end of February?
A: Passing the bill before the end of February is crucial to ensure its implementation during the 2027 general elections.
Q: What are the socio-economic benefits of the bill?
A: Including women in decision-making could add 229 billion dollars to Nigeria’s GDP over the next decade.
Q: Who has endorsed the bill?
A: The bill has been endorsed by key stakeholders, including President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, as well as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.
