Women political advocacy groups in Nigeria are intensifying their efforts to push for the passage of the Special Seats Bill; a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at significantly increasing female representation in the National and Houses of Assembly. This renewed call comes as the nation approaches a critical milestone in the Constitutional Review process, with public hearings slated for July; ENE OSHABA writes.
Women representation
The Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) has expressed concerns on the current status of representation in governance at all levels, saying that despite Nigeria being Africa’s most populous nation, its statistics on women in leadership remains abysmally low.
National President of WIPF Ebere Ifendu during a press conference it organised in Abuja titled, “Towards gender equality: Special Seat Bill” noted that currently, women occupy only 19 of the total 469 seats in the National Assembly, translating to a mere 4.05% of legislative representation. This figure, she said, is significantly below the global average of 26.5%.
“The statistics we face are not just numbers; they are a sobering reflection of the entrenched inequities that persist within our political landscape,” she said.
Continuing, Ifendu said “Nigeria ranks a disheartening 178 out of 182 countries in the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) global standings for women in national parliaments.”
She noted that in the current National Assembly, only four women serve in the 109-member Senate and 15 in the 360-member House of Representatives. At the state level, only 48 women hold seats in Houses of Assembly.
She lamented that “we cannot say we are practicing democracy when we don’t have inclusion.”
Hon. Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, the president of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), underscored this dire need, emphasising “Nigeria’s abysmal global standing in women’s leadership.”
The bill as path to equitable representation
Ifendu explained that the bill, currently being spearheaded by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, seeks to create an additional 74 federal legislative seats and 108 state assembly seats specifically for women.
She said, “This translates to an additional 37 women for the Senate (one from each state, including the FCT) and 37 for the House of Representatives (one from each state including the FCT). At the state level, the bill proposes three women from each senatorial zone for the State Assemblies.
“This is not merely a numerical increase; it is a transformative step toward achieving equitable representation that aligns with the principles of democracy.
“Importantly, the bill includes a sunset clause mandating a comprehensive review every 16 years, ensuring its continued relevance and effectiveness.”
Awunah-Ikyegh clarified that “these positions are not alacrity appointments; candidates will emerge through proper primaries within their political parties and will campaign like any other aspirant.”
Fiscal concerns, historical context
Concerns regarding the financial implications of increasing legislative seats have been a hurdle in the past. However, the revised proposal was meticulously crafted to show that the anticipated cost of implementing this bill would be less than 1% of the annual national budget at both national and state levels.
“The anticipated cost of implementing this bill would be less than 1% of our annual national budget, a figure that illustrates a responsible approach to governance that champions equity without compromising our fiscal integrity,” Awunah-Ikyegh said.
She argued that the societal losses incurred since 1999 due to the exclusion of women, evident in dwindling developmental indices such as maternal health, girl child education, and inflation rates, far outweigh this minimal expenditure.
She explained that the journey of the Special Seat Bill “is rich with historical significance.” It was initially introduced in the 9th National Assembly by Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, in collaboration with a coalition of 85 lawmakers, including former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. Although it faced formidable obstacles and ultimately fell short in its most recent vote in March 2022, the bill stands as a testament to the relentless push for women’s rights and representation.
Support, mobilisation
Nilowv noted the growing support for this bill from prominent figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressing hope that “this is a potent affirmation of the collective commitment to prioritize women’s representation.”
“The growing support for this bill from prominent figures, including Senate President Godswab Akpabio, is not merely a hopeful sign; it is a potent affirmation of our collective commitment to prioritise women’s representation in our nation’s legislature,” he said.
Advocacy groups like NILOWV, in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lawyers Alert, the Center for Redefining Alternative Civic Engagement for Africa (RACE Center), and other civil society organisations, with support from UN Women, are galvanising public support.
Evelyn Ikube, representing RACE Center, underlined the crucial role of the media in this advocacy, urging them to “demystify and unbundle this bill.” She also stressed the legality of embedding affirmative action within the constitution, drawing a parallel with the Federal Character Commission.
“Having a country where half of the population is visibly excluded from leadership is even undemocratic and maybe in the long run unconstitutional,” she said.
Intervention for lasting change
The Special Seats Bill is envisioned as a temporary intervention, designed to operate for four different election cycles (16 years). Within this period, advocates expect increased awareness and a demonstration of the capacity and contributions of women in the legislature, leading to more effective governance and policies centered on the social welfare of citizens.
“The bill offers an advantage by fostering diversity and bringing more expertise to governance.”
Hon. Awunah-Ikyegh cited the success stories of countries like Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Namibia, which have achieved higher women’s representation through similar special seats provisions, as proof that legislation is the definitive answer where one-on-one advocacy has fallen short.
The renewed call for the Special Seats Bill represents a pivotal moment in the nation’s pursuit of gender equality and a more inclusive democracy. Proponents believe its passage is essential for a truly representative governance system that reflects the rich diversity of the nation and addresses the long-standing imbalance in women’s political participation. The time to act, they assert, is now.