Stakeholders push for passage of special seats bill, seek inclusive advocacy

Stakeholders on Wednesday renewed calls for the speedy passage of the Special Seats Bill, stressing the need for clear communication, inclusive advocacy, and stronger political will to enhance women’s representation in governance. The call was made at the Stakeholders Consultation and Communication Strategy Meeting on the Passage of the Special Seats Bill, organized by the […]

Stakeholders on Wednesday renewed calls for the speedy passage of the Special Seats Bill, stressing the need for clear communication, inclusive advocacy, and stronger political will to enhance women’s representation in governance.

The call was made at the Stakeholders Consultation and Communication Strategy Meeting on the Passage of the Special Seats Bill, organized by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) with support from the European Union (EU) in Abuja.

Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, said the reform process toward achieving gender-inclusive representation had taken several years of negotiation and advocacy but was now gaining momentum.

“There’s more optimism today than in the past, and that’s largely because of the incredible work everyone in this room has done and continues to do,” he said.

“We must be intentional, persuasive, and focused on measurable advocacy — the kind that leads to real outcomes and legislative votes.”

Nwankwo clarified that the proposed legislation should be properly referred to as the Special Seats Bill, not Reserved Seats Bill, noting that the latter misrepresents its purpose.

“A ‘reserved seat’ suggests that existing seats have been set aside, which is not the case here,” he explained.

“The Special Seats Bill proposes additional seats for women, not the reservation of existing ones. Language shapes perception, and it’s important that we communicate accurately.”

Also speaking, Aisha Ibrahim, National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), described the bill as both a moral and political declaration of Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive governance.

“This is not merely a policy exercise — it is a defining moment. Every citizen deserves a seat at the table of governance, and representation must mirror the diversity and strength of our people,” she said.

She urged participants to adopt a unified and visionary communication strategy that will help secure legislative approval for the bill.

“If we fail to get it right this time, it will not simply be a missed opportunity — it will be a setback for our democracy,” she warned. “But if we succeed, we will set a powerful example of what social and political collaboration can achieve.”

Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, National Assembly, Hon. Akin Rotimi, emphasized that the success of the Special Seats Bill depends on strategic engagement and accurate messaging.

“This is not a national referendum; it is a legislative process that requires persuasion, evidence, and sustained engagement with the 469 lawmakers who will vote on it,” he said.

Rotimi cautioned advocates and the media against using confrontational language or misrepresenting the bill’s intent, urging a more collaborative approach with legislators.

“The 10th National Assembly is different. Over 75 percent of members are new and open to reform,” he said. “But we need collaboration, not confrontation. Advocacy should be persuasive, not combative.”

He also addressed concerns about the cost of governance, arguing that increasing legislative seats for women would enhance representation rather than inflate expenses.

“With about 469 legislators representing 250 million citizens, Nigeria has one of the world’s lowest representation ratios,” he noted. “Adding special seats is an investment in democracy, not waste.”

Rotimi further urged the media to help shape accurate narratives, emphasizing that women’s leadership “is not foreign to Nigeria but rooted in its cultural and historical traditions.”

“This bill is not about taking away seats — it’s about restoring balance and ensuring that nearly half of our population is no longer excluded from decision-making,” he said.