Stakeholders have pointed out the urgency of the greater representation of women within the political decision-making space, particularly in the Nigerian legislature, both at the national and lower levels, hence the advocacy in this regard has been ramped up more recently. The popular expectation is that this would soon become a reality, with the advanced stage of work on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill in the National Assembly.
When this comes into existence, it will – no doubt – inaugurate a paradigm shift in representative democracy in our country that fosters an inclusive agenda, which bridges the gender gap in Nigerian politics. This would be an unprecedented and progressive affirmative action initiative.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and 12 other lawmakers, are sponsors of the “Reserved Seats Bill.” It seeks to create an additional 182 seats for women in the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Houses of Assembly in the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Specifically, the proposal is for 37 new seats to be established essentially for women in each of the chambers of the National Assembly, and three new seats in eac
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