Governors' Wives Advocate for Special Seats Bill to Enhance Women's Political Participation

Wives of state governors have intensified their advocacy for the National Assembly to approve the Special Seats Bill, asserting that its passage is crucial for improving women's representation and reinforcing Nigeria's democratic framework ahead of the 2027 elections.

This appeal was made during a strategic meeting focused on women's political leadership and inclusive representation, organized by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), with backing from the European Union.

Olufolake Abdulrazaq, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum and is the First Lady of Kwara State, stated that the bill is essential for rectifying the significant gender disparity in governance, noting that Nigeria's current standing is considerably below global benchmarks.

She pointed out that globally, women hold only 27.5 per cent of parliamentary seats, and at the current rate of progress, gender parity might not be achieved until the 2060s.

"In Nigeria, the situation is even more concerning. Women occupy fewer than five per cent of seats in the National Assembly, which is among the lowest globally," she remarked.

Abdulrazaq emphasized that the underrepresentation of women in positions of authority hinders inclusive governance, citing evidence that increased female participation leads to improved policies in areas such as education, healthcare, peacebuilding, and social welfare.

Kafilat Ogbara, chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, confirmed that the Special Seats Bill has garnered considerable support within the National Assembly, with leadership expressing commitment to its passage.

However, she acknowledged that further efforts are necessary to secure approval at both federal and state legislative levels and to foster greater public understanding of the bill's objectives.

Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of PLAC, cautioned that the failure to enact the Special Seats Bill would constitute a major setback for Nigeria's ongoing constitutional reform process.

"If the Special Seats Bill does not pass, it will be difficult to regard the constitutional amendment process as a success," he stated.

He also urged political parties to prioritize gender balance in their candidate nominations, particularly when utilizing consensus arrangements, to prevent the perpetuation of male dominance in elected offices.