Abuja: Stakeholders advocating for the passage of the Special Seats Bill have described the proposed legislation as a critical litmus test for the integrity and inclusiveness of Nigeria’s democracy. Speaking at a media conference in Abuja on Monday, themed ‘The Special Seats Bill: An Urgent Call to Action for Women’s Representation,’ stakeholders urged political leaders and citizens alike to support the bill.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the advocates emphasized the need for unified action, drawing parallels to the successful Not-Too-Young-To-Run movement, which demonstrated the power of collective advocacy in driving legislative change. Mrs. Irene Awunah-Ikegh, President of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), stated that lawmakers, political parties, and citizens must support the constitutional amendment, which seeks to reserve seats for women in the National Assembly. Awunah-Ikegh, who also serves as a campaign leader under a UN Women-supported initiative, said the bill was essential to correcting Nigeria’s persistent gender imbalance in political representation.
Ms. Evelyn Ugben, a representative of RACE Africa, noted that the campaign had expanded beyond Abuja to several states and had entered its advocacy phase, engaging religious institutions, political parties, and legislators across state and federal levels. She emphasized the importance of the electorate understanding the implications of their representatives’ votes on this bill, which will influence the 2027 elections.
Mrs. Angelina Ugben, Executive Director of Inclusive Skills Initiatives, highlighted the connection between the bill’s success and broader electoral reforms, particularly the real-time electronic transmission of election results. She stressed that trust in the electoral process would increase public investment in the system.
Mrs. Chizoba Ogbeche, Vice President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone D, said the campaign focused on grassroots endorsements, community dialogues, and securing support from traditional, political, and religious leaders. She asserted that the campaign was not a plea for charity but a demand for fairness, inclusion, and representation.
As the nation approaches another key constitutional review, Ogbeche remarked that the Special Seats Bill presents an opportunity to redefine Nigeria’s political culture and build a truly representative democracy where women’s voices are amplified.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Special Seats Bill, sponsored by Rep. Akintunde Rotimi, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to add six special seats in the House of Representatives. These seats would be designated for underrepresented and marginalized groups: Women, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Youth, Senior Citizens, Indigenous Peoples/Minorities, and Civil Society Organizations. If passed, the bill would introduce Section 48A into the Constitution, institutionalizing inclusion and expanding representation in national legislation. The bill also aligns with Nigeria’s international obligations, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 16 (inclusive institutions).