Constitution review: Advocates push for passage of reserved seats bill ahead of October vote

As the House of Representatives prepares to vote on the Reserved Seats Bill in October, HEIR Women Hub and allied advocates have intensified calls for inclusive leadership that embraces women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups. This was the focus of a webinar titled “Influencing the Reserved Seats Bill – Who Are the […]

As the House of Representatives prepares to vote on the Reserved Seats Bill in October, HEIR Women Hub and allied advocates have intensified calls for inclusive leadership that embraces women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups.

This was the focus of a webinar titled “Influencing the Reserved Seats Bill – Who Are the Beneficiaries?” which brought together gender advocates, policymakers, disability rights leaders, and development experts to highlight the Bill’s potential to reshape Nigeria’s democracy.

HEIR Women Hub’s Executive Director, Anuli Aniebo, stressed the urgency of awareness campaigns, warning that many Nigerians remain uninformed about the Bill.

She said the organisation had launched petitions, surveys, and volunteer platforms to mobilise citizens ahead of the vote.

“Inclusive leadership is not just about adding numbers; it’s about reshaping governance. This Bill is a chance to write a new chapter in Nigeria’s democratic story,” she said.

Renowned gender advocate Ene Ede described the Bill as “historic,” saying it could calm tensions in Nigeria’s political climate and secure representation for long-excluded groups.

Zainab Mustapha of JONAPWD lamented the absence of women with disabilities across Nigeria’s 991 legislative seats, calling the bill “a framework to correct exclusion.”

She also urged dismantling stereotypes about the leadership abilities of persons with disabilities.

Speakers including technology specialist Faiz Muhammad and journalist Ademola Lawrence, stressed that men must act as allies and digital tools should be leveraged to expand civic participation.

Drawing lessons from Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, international development expert Amina Yahaya said constitutional backing was key to sustainability.

The reserved seat bill, which was passed for second reading on July 9, 2024, seeks the creation of additional seats exclusively reserved for women in the federal parliament and at the state assemblies.

The bill sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and 12 others seeks to alter Sections 48, 49, 71, and 117 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to create one “Special seat reserved exclusively for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

It proposes to create one senatorial seat and one House seat in each state and the FCT.

The bill also proposes to alter Section 91 of the Constitution to provide for three special seats “Reserved exclusively” for women in the state houses of assembly.