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Reps Mull Reserved Seats for Women, Persons with Disabilities in Constitution Review

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1 year ago

July 8, 2025

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…as House record surge in legislative activity, over 2,200 bills introduced

By Gloria Ikibah

In a significant move under the ongoing constitution amendment process, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has revealed that the 10th House is actively considering allocating 10% of elective seats to women and 5% to persons with disabilities in the National Assembly.

Speaking during the second Legislative Open Week, Abbas explained that this initiative, once enacted into law, would result in an additional 82 lawmakers—comprising 55 in the House of Representatives and 28 in the Senate.

He emphasised that those occupying the reserved seats would have full legislative rights, including equal access to privileges and committee assignments, ensuring their seamless integration into the nation’s legislative framework.

He said: “We are considering 109 amendment bills across various sectors, including electoral, judicial, legislative, and inclusive governance. Twelve electoral reform bills address the scheduling of all general elections on a single day, establish independent candidacy, and create a dedicated commission for local government elections. Judicial reforms encompass 21 bills designed to streamline appellate processes and strengthen judicial independence”.

Speaker Abbas said further that a central feature of the House’ inclusive governance proposals is the introduction of constitutionally guaranteed reserved seats for women and persons with disabilities.

He added: “Under the draft amendment, ten per cent (10%) of seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives would be set aside for women, apportioned by state to ensure regional balance.

“These seats would be filled through direct elections on separate ballots, with staggered terms to promote continuity and mentorship. Five per cent (5%) of seats would be reserved for persons with disabilities, with candidates nominated by accredited disability advocacy organisations.

“Historical data underscores the urgency of this reform. At independence in 1960, women occupied less than one per cent of seats in the National Assembly. By 1990, their share rose only to two per cent. With the restoration of democracy in 1999, women held 3.9 per cent of House seats and four per cent of Senate seats. Today, despite constituting half the population, women’s representation has barely moved beyond these levels.

“International experience shows the impact quotas can have. Rwanda and Senegal utilised constitutional provisions to increase female representation from under 5% to over 30% in a single cycle. South Africa’s voluntary party quota has delivered steady gains, though its success depends on enforcement. By embedding reserved seats into our Constitution, we will break the cycle of stagnation.

“This mechanism will accelerate progress towards gender parity, enrich our legislative debates with diverse perspectives, and ensure that the National Assembly truly reflects the people it serves. The 10th House will pursue vigorous collaboration with the State Houses of Assembly and all stakeholders to ensure that the Bill on the reserved seat is passed and becomes part of our constitution”.

The Speaker disclosed that within its first two sessions, the 10th House introduced a total of 2,263 bills—demonstrating a marked rise in legislative engagement. Of these, 1,478 have progressed to second reading, 135 await further House action, 339 are under review by Standing Committees, while five have been rejected during debates.

He noted that the overwhelming majority—2,204—were sponsored by individual members, alongside 26 Executive bills and 33 from the Senate seeking concurrence. According to him, these figures underscore a consistent growth in the National Assembly’s legislative capacity since 1999.

As of June 30, 2025, 237 bills had been passed and forwarded for presidential assent, with 55 already signed into law. Among the key legislative achievements are the recently enacted Tax Reform Laws—including the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Act—which aim to streamline tax processes and unify revenue collection at all government levels.

“The Electricity Act (Amendment) 2023 transfers electricity to the Concurrent Legislative List, empowering both federal and state governments to legislate on power generation, transmission, and distribution. The Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act 2024 establishes the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) as an independent body to expand access to tertiary education among others.

The Speaker said the House has received 621 petitions from citizens on wrongful terminations, rights violations and other grievances, adding that 24 of the petitions have been fully treated, with reports ready, 30 dismissed for lack of merit while the remaining 567 are at various stages of the hearing and investigation process.

Speaker Abbas said the House will continue to advance security reform with bills for state policing and the devolution of powers over natural resources and infrastructure, adding that the House is considering 14 bills aim to strengthen institutions, enforce fiscal accountability, and improve governance frameworks. Citizens’ rights feature in four human rights bills that align domestic law with international standards.

Speaking on Executive–legislative cooperation which he said remains essential, the Speaker thanked the President for always consulting the National Assembly on key policy matters, and for respecting the input throughout the legislative process.

According to Abbas, the 10th House recognise the challenges before Nigerians such as economic constraints, high turnover rate, and public expectations for immediate improvements which require resilience.

He added that, “his willingness to engage with our debates and incorporate our recommendations has strengthened governance and reinforced the balance of powers that underpins our democracy.

“We will continue to balance fiscal realities in our budget appropriations, prioritise critical sectors, and ensure that we deliver fully on our legislative agenda. Similarly, we will continue to invest in research support, modern library facilities, and peer-learning initiatives to strengthen the institution”.

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio commended the House for the achievement in the past two years and for opening their House for the Nigerians people, assuring that the Senate will follow the footstep of the House, while plans are on to organize a joint open week with the Green chambers.

Akpabio said the event was necessary to educate the Nigerian people on the functions of the lawmakers as a way of reducing the large turnover rate in the parliament, adding that in the Senate, about 80 percent of Senators ad new to the parliament.

He said this huge turnover rate of lawmakers affects institutional memories in the legislature and even the effective performance of their functions.

According to hm, many Nigerians are unaware of the actual function of the legislator and has often piled pressure on them to build roads, provide employment and other activities meant for the executive, adding that when the lawmaker fail to deliver on these areas, they are regarded by their constituents as failures, thereby affecting their efforts at returning to the National Assembly.

Akpabio said further that because the current is not at loggerhead with the Executive, but choose to engage in dialogue in arriving at definite positions does not mean that the Assembly is a rubber stamp Assembly, adding that together with the Executive, they have always put the interest of the Nigerian people first.

Former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara Charged the lawmakers to continue to promote the spirit of transparency and accountability, saying it is only when you are accountable that you can hold others accountable.

Another former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Patricia Ette reminded the lawmakers of the need to constantly return to their constituencies to engage with the people, adding that there was the need to take a cue from the open week because their main office is not in Abuja, but in their constituencies.

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2027: There Will Be Voter Apathy If… —Cardinal Onaiyekan

Published

2 minutes ago

August 4, 2026

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The Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has said that any belief by Nigerians that the outcome of the 2027 elections would be in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) could lead to voter apathy.

Onaiyekan said this during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun, on Monday.

According to him, any perception that the ruling party is guaranteed victory would discourage voter participation and ultimately weaken the legitimacy of the government that emerges from the polls.

He noted that voter apathy in recent elections in the country reflected a growing distrust in the electoral system, a situation he said must be urgently addressed before the next general election.

Cardinal Onaiyekan said restoring public confidence in the electoral process was essential to improving governance, insisting that democracy can only thrive where elections are genuinely free, fair and credible.

The cleric maintained that Nigeria has yet to conduct a truly free and fair election, linking low voter turnout to widespread public disillusionment with the electoral process.

“I fear that it becomes very clear to Nigerians that no matter what happens, the APC will win, then most people won’t even bother to go to the election. And even if the government, the real power, wins, it will not bring a real victory, actually. And it is not going to be possible to deliver good government.”

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5 Common Mistakes That Shorten The Lifespan Of Your Refrigerator

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4 minutes ago

August 4, 2026

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A refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in many Nigerian homes. From preserving cooked meals to keeping fruits, vegetables and drinks fresh, it works around the clock. But with frequent power outages, voltage fluctuations and heavy daily use, many refrigerators in Nigeria wear out faster than expected.

In this article, five common mistakes that shorten the lifespan of your refrigerator are highlighted

Overloading the refrigerator

Packing your refrigerator with too much food may seem like a good way to maximise storage, but it can reduce airflow inside the appliance. Cold air needs space to circulate so that all compartments remain at the correct temperature. When the refrigerator is overloaded, the compressor has to work harder to keep everything cold. Over time, this extra workload can increase wear on the cooling system and reduce the appliance’s lifespan.

Ignoring the condenser coils

Many people never clean the condenser coils, yet they play an important role in keeping the refrigerator cool. Dust, pet hair and dirt can build up on the coils over time, making it harder for the appliance to release heat. When this happens, the compressor works longer and uses more electricity, increasing the risk of overheating.

It’s therefore recommended to clean the coils periodically, especially if the refrigerator is located in a dusty environment.

Placing the refrigerator too close to the wall

A refrigerator needs adequate ventilation to release heat generated during cooling. Placing it tightly against the wall or between cabinets can restrict airflow around the appliance.

Poor ventilation forces the compressor to work harder, increasing energy consumption and placing unnecessary strain on the motor.

Always leave enough space behind and on the sides of the refrigerator as recommended in the manufacturer’s manual.

Putting hot food directly inside

Many people place steaming pots of soup or rice straight into the refrigerator to cool them quickly.

However, hot food raises the internal temperature, forcing the refrigerator to work harder to restore the proper cooling level.

Allow cooked food to cool to room temperature before refrigerating it. However, food should not be left out for more than two hours, as this can increase the risk of bacterial growth.

Failing to protect it from power fluctuations

Power surges and sudden voltage drops are common in many parts of Nigeria. These fluctuations can damage the refrigerator’s compressor and other electrical components.

Using a quality voltage protector or voltage stabiliser can help protect the appliance from unstable electricity and extend its lifespan.

If there is a prolonged power outage, avoid repeatedly switching the refrigerator on and off as electricity is restored.

(TRIBUNE)

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Adeleke kicks as IG returns CP Gotan to Osun ahead of governorship poll

Published

17 minutes ago

August 4, 2026

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Imole Campaign Council, the campaign group for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election, on Monday, faulted the redeployment of police commissioner Ibrahim Gotan to the state amid widespread violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The council, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, described Mr Gotan’s controversial reinstatement as very concerning, citing “gross harassment, abuse of human rights and arbitrary arrest and detention of Accord Party chieftains and members under his supervision”.

The council said Mr Gotan’s redeployment after he allegedly detained the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and others at his residence reflected intent to hound the Accord Party in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls.

“Suffice to say that the SSG was released immediately and the items taken from his house returned to him. This shows how politically consumed and unprofessional CP Gotan is to hound Accord Party chieftains to favour the All Progressives Congress in the August 15 governorship election,” it stated.

The council lamented that Mr Gotan was reinstated to oversee the forthcoming poll after CP Samuel Etaifo had been transferred to the state, alleging that the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, was pressured by the ruling APC.

Noting that security agencies must remain neutral and professional to achieve credibility and fairness in any election, the council said the IG “must not allow CP Gotan and his APC friends to plunge Nigeria’s democracy into the abyss through intimidation, arbitrary arrest, witch hunt and harassment of opponents.”

It urged Mr Disu to address the people of the state, adding that he must ensure the election is free, fair and credible.

“The IGP must address the people of Osun State and assure them of a violence-free poll on August 15, 2026. He must back his words with action and ensure the neutrality and impartiality of his men all through the election.

“The use of arrest and detention as tools of oppression of the opposition must end. Nigerians are watching. The world is watching. Democracy is about plurality of parties and not oppression and intimidation of opponents,” the council added.

The development came amid reports of violence in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Meanwhile, Mr Disu had assured residents of adequate security, saying the election would be one of the best in the country’s history.