N’Assembly to Vote on Women’s Reserved Seats Bill After Recess – Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has assured Nigerians that the National Assembly will vote on the Special Seats for Women Bill alongside other proposed legislations once the parliament reconvenes from its annual recess.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill—organized by The Osasu Show with support from the Swiss Embassy in Abuja—Kalu, who is the bill’s sponsor, emphasized that the proposed law responds to Nigeria’s pressing political realities.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu stated:
“This bill is not born out of sentiment but reason, evidence, and the stubborn facts of our current reality. Justice delayed is democracy denied. Nigeria has over 220 million people, with 49.3% being women. Yet, women remain grossly underrepresented in governance.”

Alarming Gender Disparity in Governance

Kalu highlighted stark statistics:

• Only 19 out of 469 federal lawmakers (3.8%) are women.
• Just 15 women in the 360-member House of Representatives.
• Only 4 female senators out of 109.
• Zero female governors across Nigeria’s 36 states.
• A mere 4.5% (45 out of 991 seats) of state assembly members are women.

Urgent Call for Advocacy

With less than 60 days before voting resumes, Kalu urged intensified lobbying, targeting religious leaders, political influencers, and lawmakers’ spouses.
“Keep the advocacy alive. Change your approach—appeal, engage, and mobilize prominent women and social influencers. Time is running out,” he stressed.

Alignment with National Development Goals

Kalu noted that the bill aligns with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas’ inclusive agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes equity and justice. He called on civil society, international partners, and the media to amplify the cause.

“To political parties: Reform begins within—prioritize women as candidates, not just supporters. To the media: Frame this as transformation, not tokenism. To Nigerians: This is your bill. When women rise, nations prosper,” he declared.

The bill’s passage could mark a historic step toward gender-balanced representation in Nigerian politics.