PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders have joined Nigerian women to express support for constitutional reforms that seek to include passage of the special seats for women. This is as over one million Nigerian women submitted their signatures in support of the passage of the bill.
This bill seeks to have one female senator and one female House of Representatives member per state. It also seeks for one woman from the three senatorial zones in each state to accelerate gender parity in political representation.
Speaking at the National Public Hearing on Constitution Alteration Bill on Monday in Abuja, Tinubu underscored the need for a constitution that responds to the evolving realities of Nigeria.
The president, who was represented by Mr George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said that the hearing provided opportunity to strengthen the nation’s institutions.
He said that it would also deepen federalism, protect fundamental human rights, as well as promote justice, equity and accountability.
“This is particularly important as it resonates from the Renewed Hope Agenda of Federal Government, which seems to enthrone good governance, inclusivity and sustainable development.
“Today’s process is about giving Nigerians renewed confidence that their voices matter in shaping the future of our democracy.
“I assure you that the outcome of this process will receive the desire and deserved attention as part of our collective quest to build a stronger and more united Nigeria,” he said.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said that the public hearing was to enable Nigerians contribute to the proposed amendment of the 1999 Constitution.
Akpabio, represented by Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, Deputy Senate Majority Whip, said charged all Nigerians to participate in the exercise.
“The constitution is not for the parliament, it is not for the courts, neither is it for the executive. It is for the entire Nigerian people.
“I urge you to seize this opportunity presented by the House of Representatives to boldly come up and vent your feelings towards having a better constitution that we can actually call ours,” he said.
Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker, House of Representatives, described the bill as a necessary legal tool to accelerate inclusion and correct historical gender imbalances.
“This is not for pity’s sake but a constitutional mechanism to accelerate gender inclusion,” he said.
Abbas also announced that additional measures were being considered to set minimum thresholds for women in ministerial appointments and representation of persons with disabilities at all levels of government.
He reiterated the commitment of the legislature to conclude the process within a defined timeline, thereby avoiding the prolonged delays that have characterized past constitutional amendment efforts.
Also, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, said that the National Assembly was seriously considering transformative constitutional amendments
According to Kalu, this includes the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, which seeks to guarantee gender balance and promote inclusive governance in Nigeria.
“We are looking at transformative bills creating reserved seats for women in our legislative environment. This will guarantee gender balance in government appointments.
“This is about correcting systemic exclusion that has held our nation back for too long, ” he said.
Kalu said that the proposal was not symbolic but designed to give women constitutional backing to participate fully in governance and policymaking.
Irene Awunah- Ikyegh, President, League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), while submitting the signatures to the committee, said the bill was not just about numbers, but about securing women’s rightful place in governance.
Awunah-Ikyegh added that failure to recognise the contributions of Nigerian women equalled none inclusive democracy.
“Only 15 women in the House of Reps and four female senators out of 109. The House Committee chairman on women issues in states without women are men.
“That means our democracy in Nigeria is not a true democracy and is not inclusive.
“Passing the bill will give the present National Assembly an opportunity to put its name in gold because it is a legacy bill,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mr Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria; Mr Gautier Mignot, Ambassador, EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS; and Mohammed Fall, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to Nigeria all supported the exercise. (NAN)
