Our Reporter, Abuja
Former Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi, says the campaign for special reserved seats for women in the National Assembly has gained unprecedented momentum, with the House of Representatives showing leadership in advancing the bill.
Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise Television on Wednesday, Obi said never in Nigeria’s history has there been such strong commitment from lawmakers themselves in championing women’s representation.
“The Sixth Assembly debated women’s inclusion, but the bill died at the third reading because no one wanted to lose their seat. The Ninth Assembly threw out five gender bills, despite significant support,” Obi recalled.
“But today, under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the House has taken ownership of this bill. For the first time, Nigerian women were celebrated in the National Assembly on March 8, 2024, and it was the lawmakers’ own initiative.”
Obi commended Kalu for keeping his promise to advance the cause of women’s inclusion, noting that several lawmakers, including Hon. Kafilat Ogbara and Senator Abubakar Magunu, had also tabled gender-related bills in previous assemblies.
She emphasized that the present effort stands out because of its structured approach, including the inauguration of a joint committee of lawmakers, civil society organizations, and government officials to push for the legislation.
On the challenge of securing the required two-thirds support from both chambers of the National Assembly and 24 state Houses of Assembly, Obi said women’s groups were mobilizing nationwide.
“At the recent public hearing, women came from all 36 states and the FCT—lawyers, politicians, grassroots groups, market women, and professional associations,” she said.
“We are organizing at every level. Nigerians must know their representatives and hold them accountable when the bill comes up for voting.”
She also stressed that Nigeria is under obligation to implement the 35 percent affirmative action already recognized by a 2022 Federal High Court ruling.
“Government has refused to obey its own gender policy or court orders. This is not acceptable. Every appointment that violates this ruling should be challenged in court,” Obi declared.
Currently, only four women sit in Nigeria’s 109-member Senate, while 14 state assemblies have no female representation at all. Obi described the situation as “shameful” compared to other African countries such as Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa, where women occupy significant proportions of parliamentary seats.
“What we are asking for is 37 additional seats in the House of Representatives and reserved seats in the Senate, to give women a fair chance,” she said.
“Women are not tribalized. We are the tribe of humanity, caring for both male and female children. This is about the future of Nigeria.”
Obi urged Nigerians—both men and women—to support the bill when it comes to a vote, saying it is time for the country to correct decades of imbalance in governance.
