Gender Inclusion: PLAC, EU Urge Swift Passage of Special Seats Bill
The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), with the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and support from the European Union (EU), has urged the National Assembly to pass the Special Seats Bill, describing it as a popular national demand and a critical step toward improving women’s political representation.
The call was made at the Stakeholders Roundtable on the Special Seats Bill held on Thursday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, as lawmakers prepare to vote on the bill next week.
Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of PLAC, said the bill had reached a decisive moment. He noted that parliamentary leadership had tentatively fixed the vote for December 8 or 9, stressing that the window for action was closing.
“This is a very focused conversation on the Special Seats Bill,” he said. “We felt it is extremely important to meet and examine the options before the vote. The clock is almost worn down.”
Nwankwo recalled how the bill was previously dismissed by legislators, but warned that its rejection again would amount to a major setback for the country.
“It started as something regarded as a flimsy concern of women. Today, it is a serious national and international issue. If it is not passed, Nigerians will conclude that the Tenth National Assembly has failed,” he said.
He added that the bill is a unique Nigerian innovation that could set an international example. “There is nowhere else this kind of bill exists. Nigerian lawmakers will be making a global statement. It could become a model for the rest of the world.”
Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, said the legislation represents a landmark step in Nigeria’s pursuit of gender equality.
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“A Special Seats Bill for women is not just a legislative proposal. It reflects our collective commitment to give women their rightful place in governance,” she stated.
She thanked the First Lady and the President for their support, describing a recent advocacy dinner hosted by the First Lady as the high point of mobilization efforts. Ogbara said advocacy must continue beyond the National Assembly, urging stakeholders to sustain public awareness and engagement.
Deputy Ambassador of the EU to Nigeria, Zissimos Vergos, said the bill is urgently needed to align Nigeria with global standards on gender representation, noting that women currently occupy less than 5 percent of seats in the Tenth National Assembly.
“Nigeria has not elected a single female governor in 25 years of democracy,” he said. He described the bill as essential affirmative action and urged political parties to adopt stronger measures to support women candidates.
Vergos added that the EU has invested over €200 million in electoral support since 1999, including programs aimed at increasing women’s political participation as candidates, voters, and observers.
British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, described the bill as a historic opportunity for Nigeria. Drawing comparisons with the United Kingdom, she highlighted her country’s progress, noting that women now make up about half of the House of Commons.
“But in Nigeria’s National Assembly, women hold less than 5 percent of seats,” she said. “It is not good for political life, it is not good for the economy, and it undermines Nigeria’s international reputation.”
Lever said that evidence shows women’s participation in politics boosts economic growth, improves accountability, reduces conflict, and strengthens peace agreements.
“This isn’t about women taking from men. It is about making the system stronger,” she added, noting that quotas in other countries have helped sustain women’s representation despite barriers such as online harassment, limited funding, and entrenched political structures.
