The meeting is part of broader civil society advocacy aimed at pushing the National Assembly to pass the bill.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday met with leaders of women’s advocacy groups at the National Assembly to discuss ongoing efforts to increase female representation in political leadership through the proposed Special Seats Bill.
The advocacy visit brought together prominent gender rights activists, including Hon. Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, President of the League of Women Voters; Barr. Ebere Ifendu, President of the Women in Politics Forum; Ms. Ene Obi, former Country Director of Action Aid; and Chief Osasu Igbinedion, Founder of the TOS Network.
The Special Seats Bill, currently awaiting a public hearing, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create reserved legislative seats for women.
It seeks one additional seat for women in both the Senate and House of Representatives from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, along with three special seats in each State House of Assembly. The proponents of the bill proposed it to take effect after the current legislative term, with a review after 16 years.
Addressing the delegation, Akpabio expressed support for greater inclusion of women in governance, describing women as “better managers” and key players in national development. He acknowledged the low level of female representation in politics and called for collective efforts to address societal and internal barriers, including the reluctance of women to vote for female candidates.
“We all came from women. Personally, I am blessed with four beautiful daughters. The success of this bill will open the doors of greater political participation for our female children,” Akpabio said, urging the advocates to continue mobilising support to ensure the bill passes.
In her remarks, Osasu Igbinedion underscored the importance of the bill in addressing historical underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political space.
“Nigeria currently ranks among the lowest in Africa for women’s representation in parliament, with women occupying less than 5% of seats in the National Assembly,” she said. “This bill is not about reducing the space for men; it is about expanding the possibilities for Nigeria.”
She urged the Senate President to endorse the bill, stating that doing so would mark a significant step toward inclusive governance and legislative equity.
The meeting is part of broader civil society advocacy aimed at pushing the National Assembly to pass the bill, which proponents say is critical for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and development.