Constitution Review: South-South Women Want Reserved Seat Bill Passed

Women groups in the South-South states of Bayelsa, Delta and Edo, have calledfor the urgent passage of the Reserve Seat Bill for Women currently before the National Assembly.

They took their quest to the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review session held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State at the weekend.

The women groups, including the National Women Society of Nigeria and the Iteach/TOD Foundation, led by their South-South coordinator, Ebimoboere Alaibe Elezieanya, argued that the Reserve Seat Bill for Women now before the 10th National Assembly represents critical constitutional amendments aimed at redressing the long-standing gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Elezieanya, who read the memorandum in support of the bill before the members of the House of Representatives Committee led by Hon. Julius Ihonbvere and political actors from the South-South states, added that women constitute 50.02 percent of the national population, yet remain woefully underrepresented across all levels of government.

She said, “In the 2023 elections, only 3.6 per cent of seats in the National Assembly were occupied by women, placing Nigeria 177th out of the 181 countries in global female parliamentary representation.”

She pointed out that the bill seeks to amend House Bill 1349 of the 1999 Constitution to create additional legislative seats reserved for women to enhance gender balance if passed.

She said, “If the bill is passed and signed into law, one seat will be reserved for women per state and the FCT, one seat will be reserved in the House of Representative for women per state and FCT, three seats will be reserved for women per state House of Assembly, and one from each senatorial zone, for a total of 108 seats.”

She also added that the proposed implementation timetable after the bill is passed is after the current legislative cycle and subject to a 16-year review clause.

“This is a temporary measure to address structural imbalance and ensure inclusive governance in Nigeria.

This intervention is not merely a political reform, it is a restorative measure rooted in the principles of democratic inclusion, gender equality and human rights,” she added.

Elezieanya also called on the state and national legislators, regardless of party or personal belief, to recognise that supporting this bill is not partisan but patriotic.

“Your vote can change the course of history, stand on the right side of justice, inclusion and progress. Pass the Reserved Seats Bill without delay. We have the research, we have the stories, we have the numbers, and now we have the will.”