Women Groups Rally for Special Seats Bill in Nigeria

On a recent date, women groups in Nigeria, including the Coalition of Women Group Mondai, staged a solidarity rally at the main entrance of the National Assembly in Abuja. They called for the speedy passage of a special seats bill aimed at increasing women's representation in the upcoming 2027 general elections.

The bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide special seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. En Obi, founder of the Central Development Comrade, commended the progress made by the National Assembly but stressed the urgency of passing the bill to allow women the opportunity to contest for these special seats.

Former Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Barr Eber Ifendu, highlighted the importance of electoral integrity and inclusivity. Other advocates, including Mr.

Chizoba Ogbech and Loi Auta, emphasized the need for representation of women and girls with disabilities. Hon Akin Rotimi Jnr assured that the demand for the bill would be formally presented to lawmakers.