The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has assured Nigerians that the National Assembly will vote on the special seats bill alongside others when the parliament resumes from its annual recess.
Speaking during a roundtable reception on the Reserved Seats For Women Bill, organised by The Osasu Show, with support from the Swiss Embassy in Abuja, on Monday, Kalu, who is the sponsor of the bill, said the proposed legislation is a function of the dictates of current political realities.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, on Monday, Kalu noted that, “As the sponsor of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, I want to make this abundantly clear: this bill is not borne out of sentiment.
It is borne out of reason, out of evidence, out of the stubborn facts of our current reality.
“It is rooted in the belief that justice delayed is democracy denied.
“Nigeria is a nation of over 220 million people, and nearly half (49.3 per cent) of this population are women. Yet, the number of women who sit at the table of power in this country is painfully low.
“In the current 10th National Assembly, only 19 out of 469 legislators are women (just 3.8 per cent).
“In the House of Representatives, there are only 15 women out of 360. In the Senate, only four out of 109. Across all 36 states, we have not a single female governor.
“In our state Houses of Assembly (out of 991 seats), only 45 are occupied by women. That’s a mere 4.5 per cent,” he said.
Kalu urged the women to keep the advocacy alive.
“Keep doing it, keep lobbying, there’s no time. We don’t have time. We desire to vote on these constitutional review provisions once we are back from recess. That’s to show you there’s no time.
“The people you’re talking to must be people who influence those who will vote or the voters themselves. So, tell your religious leaders, political big players, the wives of the parliamentarians and so on.
“The language of advocacy should change, too. Appeal to them, reach out to prominent women in this country. Let them come on board. Reach out to influencers, there’s no time. Barely 60 days remaining,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker added that inclusion remained a key component of the Tajudeen Abbas-led House.
“The 10th House of Representatives, under the purposeful leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, has placed inclusion at the centre of its legislative vision.
“This commitment aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which anchors national development on equity, justice, and opportunity.
“Through progressive policies and appointments, the President has shown a clear intent to disrupt entrenched norms.
“The Reserved Seats for Women Bill is a reflection of this shared resolve and the 10th Assembly is proud to be the legislative catalyst advancing it,” he added.
He called on partners in civil society organisations, the international community, the development sector, political parties, the media and the Nigerian people to support the bill.
