Assent To Women’s Bill, Ex-Female Presidential Candidate Urges Tinubu

A former presidential candidate, Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, has called on President Bola Tinubu to grant immediate presidential assent to the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.

Adesanya-Davies said assenting to the bill would make women’s participation in governance more prominent ahead of the 2027 general elections.

She noted that the bill seeks to create 74 additional seats for women in the National Assembly and 108 seats in state assemblies.

Adesanya-Davies, who lamented the declining representation of women in elective offices despite the 35 per cent affirmative action target, also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce Section 84 of the Electoral Act.

“Parties that do not meet the 35 per cent representation target for women in their primaries should face sanctions. Reporting of gender-disaggregated data should also be made compulsory,” she said.
She called on all political parties to reserve 35 per cent of their candidacies for women and provide free and automatic nomination forms for female aspirants, as previously promised.

She stressed the need for political parties to establish women’s wings with adequate funding and decision-making powers, rather than using them merely for mobilisation during rallies.

The university don urged Nigerian women to become politically active, declaring that 2027 should be their year of political leadership.

“2027 is our year. Contest for something, from ward councillor to president. If you cannot contest, sponsor a woman. If you cannot sponsor one, campaign for a woman.

“Form women-to-women support cooperatives to raise campaign funds. Aso-ebi money can become campaign money. Stop pulling down fellow women,” she said.

She also called on male allies, traditional rulers and religious leaders to support women’s political ambitions.

“To male allies, traditional rulers and religious leaders: Support your wives, daughters and sisters to contest. A woman leader is not a threat to culture; she is an asset to development.

“To the media: Give female candidates equal airtime. Interview them on security and the economy, not just on how they balance home and politics.

“In 2027, the Nigerian woman must graduate from being a political tool to becoming a political leader. We have voted. We have mobilised. We have been faithful. Now, we must lead,” Adesanya-Davies stated.