…as coalition demand swift action to boost female representation ahead of 2027 polls
By Gloria Ikibah
Pressure mounted at the gates of the National Assembly on Monday as a coalition of women’s organisations staged a peaceful demonstration, urging lawmakers to pass the long-debated Women Reserved Seats Bill.
The proposed legislation forms part of 44 priority constitutional amendment bills currently awaiting final consideration by the National Assembly.
It seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create designated seats for women in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
Backers argue that the measure is intended to correct the persistent under-representation of women in Nigeria’s legislative chambers. The proposal will introduce special constituencies to be contested exclusively by women on a temporary basis, with the aim of strengthening female participation in politics and decision-making.
Among those present at the rally was prominent gender advocate and former Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Comrade Ene Obi.
She acknowledged the progress made so far in advancing the bill but pressed lawmakers to accelerate its passage to ensure that women can contest the proposed seats in the 2027 general election.
The demonstrators maintained that expanding women’s political representation is not merely symbolic, but essential to building a more inclusive and balanced democracy.
She said: “A vote for a woman is a vote for life. Women are the hope of life. And I want to urge the members of the National Assembly, we are not protesting today, we are holding a rally. We believe in non-violence. We have organised ourselves. We have not besieged the gates of the National Assembly. We are not going to the Assembly unless they invite us.
“We are calling on the members of the National Assembly to come here and address us. We are waiting for them patiently. We are quite orderly. We don’t fight to go into that house because they have allowed us before. We have been there on the campaign for special seats bill”.
Also lending her voice was the representative of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Rahila Dauda, who urged the National Assembly to pass the bill in order to save Nigeria the shame of poor female representation in the legislative and other arms of government.
“We are in total support of the bill, the special seats and we urge the National Assembly to join with us by passing this bill. It is wrong of our view because it is a shame that a country like Nigeria, which more than half of the population are women, unfortunately only about 5 or 4 are in the National Assembly and the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“So the time is now, please and please National Assembly join us and make history to pass this bill. Nigerian women want this bill now”, she said.
Also Lois Auta said 5 percent reservation of special seats for women with disabilities and girls is provided for in the Disability Act.
“We are here to ask for our rights.Rights for inclusion. Rights for representation. Rights for participation in governance. In the Disability Act, 5 percent is enshrined for every person with disabilities, including women and girls with disabilities.
“So we want 5% reservation of special seats for women with disabilities and girls. It is time that we move from exclusion to inclusion. We are saying, include us! Include us! Include us now!”, Auta stated.
In response the House of Representatives assured Nigerian women of electronic voting for the Special Seat for Women Bill.
Spokesperson of the House, Rep. Akin Rotimi who stated this while addressing the women group said the House has over forty bills for consideration and the Special Seat for Women Bill is part of it.
He encouraged the women groups not to relent in their advocacy as the National Assembly ” is listening to them”.
Rep. Rotimi said that the House of Representatives and Senate will give speedy consideration to the women’s bills before the National Assembly.
He urged the women to also hold their legislators accountable if the bills do not sail through.