First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged the Senate and House of Representatives to pass a bill seeking to create extra seats for women in the National Assembly. The proposed legislation aims to address the underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s governance structure.
A bill proposing the creation of 74 additional seats for women in the National Assembly has passed the second reading stage in the House of Representatives. Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and 12 other lawmakers, the bill seeks to alter sections 48, 49, 71, and 117 of the constitution.
The proposed legislation aims to create one special seat reserved exclusively for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state and the Federal Capital Territory. This move is expected to promote gender-inclusive governance and foster stronger democratic institutions.
Speaking at an event, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu emphasized the need for more women in the legislature. She noted that women constitute a vital part of the nation’s progress but are underrepresented in governance.
The event, tagged “Art for Governance Exhibition,” was organized by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in partnership with ElectHER, an advocacy group for women’s empowerment. The exhibition aimed to promote gender-inclusive governance and highlight the importance of women’s participation in politics.
“In the context of governance and inclusion, it offers a unique and compelling way to spotlight the urgent need for greater female representation in leadership and decision-making processes,” she said. “The artworks being displayed today serve not only for a Nigeria where political leadership is truly inclusive and reflective of its people. The emphasis on affirmative action bills is essential to amplifying the message of inclusion contained in this exhibition.
“Ensuring that women have a stronger voice in shaping policies, making decisions and driving national development is not just a matter of justice, it is a necessity for stable growth. “Therefore, I support the affirmative action bill that mandates at least 35 percent of seats in the legislative and executive arms be occupied by women.
“I urge the national assembly to expedite the passage of the bill. I am committed to supporting initiatives that promote gender inclusion, women and nation-building.
“This has been my mission during my mission as first lady of Lagos, as a senator and now as the first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I firmly believe in the importance of women’s voices in governance.
“I urge my former colleagues, the civil society organization and the public to embrace the message of the exhibition and collaborate to ensure that women’s voices are heard.” “Today, we wield the transformative power to address one of the most pressing issues in Nigeria’s democracy: The systemic underrepresentation of women in governance,” he said.
“We see the struggles, the resilience, and the undeniable strength of women who have fought to lead, only to be met with barriers.“But barriers can be broken. That is why this exhibition is not just a cultural moment — it is an advocacy tool, a visual argument, a movement in motion.”
Ibijoke Faborode, CEO of ElectHER, noted that Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of female political representation in Africa. She emphasized that women make up nearly 50% of the population but less than 4% of the National Assembly.Faborode argued that the underrepresentation of women in governance remains a critical challenge to achieving inclusive democracy and sustainable development. She emphasized the need for bold legislative reforms to address this issue.
The proposed bill has been hailed as a game-changer for Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation. As the country approaches the 2027 elections, proponents of the bill argue that it is essential to promote gender-inclusive governance and ensure that women have a greater voice in the country’s decision-making process.
“We are building the momentum needed to mainstream the reserved seats bill, shift public discourse, and drive its passage. This is not just about a policy change. It is about reshaping Nigeria’s democratic landscape to reflect the full strength of its people,” she said.
The passage of the bill is expected to have far-reaching implications for women’s empowerment and gender equality in Nigeria. It is hoped that the legislation will pave the way for more women to participate in politics and take on leadership roles in the country.
Source : https://www.thecable.ng/
