Grant Presidential Assent To Reserved Seats For Women 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 the Bill would make the role of women central in the 2027 general elections.

She noted that the Bill seeks to create 74 additional seats for women in National Assembly and 108 in State Assemblies. .

Adesanya- Davies who lamented the retrogression of women in occupying elective offices despite the 35 percent Affirmative Act, also urged the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce Section 84 of the Electoral Act.

” Parties that do not meet 35% women in their primaries should face sanctions. Make reporting of gender-disaggregated data compulsory,” she said.

She called on all political parties to
reserve 35 percent of candidacy for women with free and automatic nomination forms for women as was promised.

She stressed the need for the parties to create women wings with real funding and decision-making power, and not just mobilisation for rallies.

The university don charged Nigerian women to wake up, saying that:” 2027 is our year. Contest for something. From ward councillor to president. If you cannot contest, sponsor a woman.
If you cannot sponsor, campaign for a woman.Form Women-to-Women support cooperatives to raise campaign funds. Aso-ebi money can become campaign money.bStop pulling down fellow women”

” 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, economy, not just “how do you balance home and politics?”

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

Ends