- Akpabio promises gender-inclusiveness
The United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliament Association has expressed its support for legislation allocating special seats to women at both Nigeria’s National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to deepen their participation in politics.
Some members of the UK’s Parliament made the appeal during a visit to the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, on Monday at the National Assembly, Abuja.
Nigeria currently has four female members of the Senate, out of the total of 109 senators, or 2.7 percent of the membership.
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At the House of Representatives, there are 17 seats occupied by women, or 4.7 percent of the 360-member House.
Speaking during the visit, the leader of the delegation, Kate Osamor, told Akpabio the UK’s branch of the Commonwealth Parliament was keen on supporting legislation to promote women’s involvement in governance and decision-making.
She noted, “The delegation before you is a cross-party one from the House of Commons and House of Lords from the United Kingdom under the aegis of Commonwealth Parliament Association.
“The purpose of this visit is to call for your support for the special seats for women in parliament by ensuring that bills already sponsored for that purpose are considered and passed.”
In the 9th National Assembly, a bill seeking special seats for women had failed to pass.
It was reintroduced by the current 10th Assembly, which is also carrying our further review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The bill proposed to amend section 77(1) and 117(1) of the constitution to establish 37 new seats in the Senate, one for each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT.)
As for the House of Representatives, the bill seeks to add 74 seats, two for each state and the FCT just as it envisions the creation of 108 additional seats across State Houses of Assembly nationwide, earmarking three seats per state.
Akpabio, after listening to the visitors promised that their request would be looked into, especially that a constitution review exercise was ongoing.
The Senate President said, “In the 10th National Assembly, we have legislated with the steel of conviction.
“We have labored tirelessly to ensure that democracy is not a mere abstraction, but a living, breathing force that transforms lives.
“Inclusive governance is part of our legislative agenda, and in the spirit of unity, we have embraced the rich tapestry of our nation’s diversity.
“Our policies reflect the hopes and dreams of all Nigerians, strengthening the bonds that hold us together and ensuring that no citizen is left behind.”
At the Senate, the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin, heads the constitution alteration committee, which has received many bills for consideration already.
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