Coalition Urges National Assembly to Support Women’s Seats

The Coalition of Nigerian Women has called on the National Assembly to reject a motion that opposes the special seat bill for women. This appeal was made during a submission to the National Assembly in Abuja, led by Iren Awunah Ikyegh, the president of the League of Women Voters Nigeria.

Ikyegh urged lawmakers to support the bill, which aims to address gender imbalances by creating additional seats for women in the National Assembly and state houses of assembly. She compared Nigeria's political representation to that of countries like Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda, advocating for enhanced political inclusion for women.

Ikyegh expressed hope that lawmakers would champion the bill, which is crucial for strengthening democracy and ensuring fair representation. She noted that women constitute nearly half of Nigeria's population and significantly contribute to the nation's social, economic, and political development, yet remain severely underrepresented in governance, often holding less than five percent of elected positions.