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Speaker Abbas Pledges Stronger Legislation to Protect Women in Politics
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to enact strong legislative measures that will safeguard and empower women in politics.
Speaking at the Nigerian Women Leadership and Empowerment Conference 2025 in Abuja, with the theme: “Investing in Nigerian Women, Securing Our Future,” organised by the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development,
Speaker Abbas emphasised the need for gender-inclusive governance and policies that promote equal representation in political and economic spheres.
The conference provided a platform to discuss challenges and solutions regarding women’s participation in leadership.
Despite constitutional guarantees of gender equality, Abbas noted that Nigerian women still face discrimination, underrepresentation, and socio-economic barriers that hinder their leadership opportunities.
“We will enact robust legislation to protect women in politics from violence and intimidation, ensuring that our political system aligns with constitutional principles of fairness and freedom,” he stated.
He revealed that the House of Representatives has introduced a Legislative Agenda prioritizing women’s political participation and economic empowerment.
“As part of this effort, two committees dedicated to women’s issues have been established, and all female lawmakers in the House are part of the Constitution Amendment Committee to ensure gender-sensitive policymaking”, he added.
The Speaker also urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to integrate women into its National Executive Committee (NEC), a move that has already resulted in the appointment of four women to NEC positions.
Abbas further stressed the need for special legislative seats for women and mandatory gender quotas in political parties to increase female representation in governance.
“I urge all State Houses of Assembly to support these reforms in the Constitution Amendment process to guarantee greater political participation for women,” he added.
Beyond politics, the Speaker highlighted that women’s economic empowerment is vital for Nigeria’s development, referencing successful global models, such as Rwanda’s gender quotas and Bangladesh’s microfinance initiatives, as strategies Nigeria can adapt to uplift women.
He reiterated the commitment of the House to enforcing the National Gender Policy, supporting electoral reforms that promote female candidates, and amending the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) to strengthen women’s rights.
Abbas commended Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Kafilat Ogbara and Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, for their roles in advancing gender equality.
Representative of the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the event, Hajiya Fatima Abbas applauded Nigerian women for breaking barriers across various sectors. However, she emphasized the need for greater inclusion and empowerment, urging action to dismantle structural barriers that keep women in poverty.
In her opening remarks, Rep. Kafilat Ogbara, described the conference as more than just an event but a movement aimed at breaking barriers and creating opportunities for future generations of women.
She noted that the conference serves as a platform to celebrate Nigerian women’s strength, resilience, and potential while fostering an environment where they can thrive, lead, and inspire.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the National Compendium of Women in Leadership Positions, a publication documenting the achievements of trailblazing Nigerian women across various sectors.
Rep. Ogbara emphasized that while the National Compendium of Women in Leadership Positions is in its maiden edition, it serves as an essential resource to inspire young girls and women striving for leadership roles.
She announced that the conference would honor outstanding Nigerians who have shown unwavering dedication to empowering women and promoting gender equality. Their contributions, she said, stand as a beacon of hope and proof that meaningful change is achievable through collective effort.
Among the award recipients were First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, and Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike.
Beyond discussions, Ogbara revealed that the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development is implementing direct support programs for women in need, particularly widows and low-income earners, through cash empowerment initiatives.
She expressed gratitude to the leadership of the House of Representatives for their commitment to gender equality, acknowledging Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu for sponsoring a bill aimed at reserving special seats for women in parliament to ensure greater representation in legislative bodies.
Ogbara also commended First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her leadership in advancing women’s welfare through the Renewed Hope Initiative, describing it as a transformative program that has positively impacted countless Nigerian women.
The conference gathered policymakers, civil society groups, and development partners to strategize on enhancing women’s leadership and increasing their participation in national development.
A special panel of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has reserved judgment in five separate appeals arising from the legal disputes surrounding the conduct of the 2024 local government elections in Kano State.
The appeals stem from two rulings delivered by the Federal High Court in Kano, which, among other declarations, nullified the composition of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission.
The cases include Appeal No. CA/KN/20/2025, filed by KANSIEC with the Independent National Electoral Commission and four others listed as respondents.
Another, CA/KN/233/2024, was filed by the Kano State House of Assembly and another party, with Aminu Aliyu Tiga and 14 others as respondents.
Appeal CA/KN/290/2024 was brought by the Attorney General of Kano State and six others against the All Progressives Congress and three others.
Additionally, Appeal CA/KN/291/2024 was filed by KANSIEC and eight others, with the Kano State House of Assembly and six others listed as respondents.
In the appeal marked CA/KN/233/2024, the Kano State House of Assembly and another appellant, represented by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the appellate court to overturn the judgment of the Federal High Court, which had barred KANSIEC from conducting local government elections.
Awomolo argued that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, noting that the suit filed by Aminu Tiga and the APC was statute-barred at the time of filing.
He also contended that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to initiate the case.
Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court had, on October 22, 2024, restrained KANSIEC from conducting elections in the 44 local government areas of Kano State.
The judge ruled that the electoral commission’s members were card-carrying members of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party, in breach of Sections 197 and 200 of the 1999 Constitution.
Justice Amobeda further directed INEC not to release the national voters’ register for the purpose of the local government elections in the state.
Additionally, he barred the police, the Department of State Services, and other security agencies from providing support or protection for the polls.
Unhappy with the verdict, the Kano State House of Assembly and other affected parties approached the Court of Appeal, arguing that local government election matters are under the exclusive purview of the state and can only be adjudicated by a Kano State High Court—not the Federal High Court.
After hearing all arguments on Tuesday, the three-member appellate panel led by Justice Georgewill Ekanem announced that judgment had been reserved and would be delivered on a date to be communicated to the parties involved.
Workers at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, in Ondo State on Tuesday embarked on an indefinite strike over the non-payment of salaries by the Ondo State Government.
The striking workers, who are members of the Non-Academic Staff Union and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, staged a peaceful protest on the institution’s campus to express their grievances.
The aggrieved staff revealed they are being owed six months’ salaries and accused the government of failing to implement the national minimum wage.
They carried placards with messages including, “We are hungry, pay our six months’ salaries,” “Mr Governor, please implement our 2025 budget,” and “Acting Rector, please clear our 2022, 2023, and 2024 promotion arrears.”
During the protest, the Chairman of NASU, RUGIPO chapter, Mr. Julius Olugbenga-Aro, and his SSANIP counterpart, Mr. Saka Olokungboye, called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently address the workers’ demands.
They lamented the hardship faced by their members, saying many are unable to meet basic needs due to the unpaid wages.
Olugbenga-Aro stated, “This protest is to express our frustration over the non-payment of six months’ salary arrears and the failure of the Ondo State Government to implement the national minimum wage for polytechnic staff.”
While acknowledging some of the governor’s developmental efforts at the institution, including the recent approval for the polytechnic’s conversion to a university, the union leaders appealed for more urgent actions.
They urged the state government to approve immediate payment of the outstanding salaries, ensure full implementation of the 2025 institutional budget, and begin payment of the new national minimum wage.
They also warned that failure to act swiftly could result in prolonged disruptions to the academic calendar, further affecting students and the institution at large.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Tuesday awarded the sum of N100m in general damages against Louisville Girls Secondary School, Gwagwalada, for negligence of duty of care which led to the death of a student.
Mr Ifeanyi Ikpeatusim had sued the school for negligence that resulted in the death of his 9-year-old daughter, Kamzie,
In the suit marked CV/1738/18, Ikpeatusim alleged that the school’s failure to provide adequate medical attention after Kamzie who fell ill shortly after her admission and resumption in the school led to her untimely death.
Kamzie, who was admitted as a boarding student in September 2017 became severely ill by October 2 and died a few days later.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji, while delivering judgment in the suit brought before the court after awarding the N100m cost, ordered a 10 per cent interest on the judgment sum from April 8 until full payment.
He also awarded an additional N300,000 as the cost of the suit.
Justice Oriji while pronouncing the decision of the court, held that the evidence presented showed the school and its agents acted negligently by failing to attend promptly and adequately to Kamzie’s medical needs.
“The claimant established his allegations of negligence against the school.
“There is no amount of money that can bring back the child to life,” he stated.
Justice Oriji however acknowledged the fact that one significant outcome of the case was the improvement of the school’s sickbay following the incident.
He noted that the presence of doctors attending to students twice daily was a commendable development.
While the claimant had asked the court to order the school to name one of its structures in Kamzie’s name in her honour, Justice Oriji noted that the improvement in the school’s sickbay was sufficient enough to know the school is making amends from its mistake.
“The court thinks that the improvement in the sickbay, ensuring doctors are available twice daily, is in honour of Kamzie, as part of reforms recommended by her family.
“The claimant should take solace in the fact that Kamzie has been honoured by the school through these improvements.”
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