The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has reaffirmed its commitment to gender inclusion by launching a grassroots campaign to rally support for the Special Seats Bill before the National Assembly.
The organisation stated that the campaign will run across nine states—Yobe, Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Abia, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Activities will include community town halls, stakeholder engagements, and awareness sessions to explain the bill in simple terms and mobilise grassroots support.
Speaking at a media parley yesterday in Abuja, the League’s president, Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, said the campaign is focused on empowering grassroots communities to understand and support the proposed legislation, which seeks to create reserved legislative seats for women at both the federal and state levels.
“Our core responsibility is to mobilise and sensitise the grassroots to support the Special Seats Bill reserved for women,” Awunah-Ikyegh said. “The grassroots is the power base that elects representatives into the National Assembly, and legislators listen when their constituents speak.”
She added that the campaign aims to simplify the bill’s contents so that ordinary citizens can understand it and communicate their support to lawmakers.
The bill seeks to mandate each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT to produce one woman each for the Senate and the House of Representatives through party primaries and general elections, adding 74 women to the National Assembly.
It also proposes three reserved seats per state in the State Houses of Assembly, with one from each senatorial district.
“This bill is about inclusion, not privilege,” Awunah-Ikyegh emphasised. “It’s not a women’s bill—it is a democracy restoration bill. Nigeria cannot claim to practice true democracy while excluding half of its population from political decision-making.”
She referenced the rejection of five gender-related bills during the 9th National Assembly and noted that inadequate grassroots awareness contributed significantly to their failure.
“This time, we are taking no chances. We are engaging directly with both the people and their representatives. Every legislator represents a constituency, and their responsibility is to act in their constituents’ interest,” she said.
Awunah-Ikyegh addressed concerns that the bill would give women preferential treatment, clarifying that female candidates would still undergo party primaries and campaign like all other aspirants. “The bill simply provides a level playing field. Women will be voted for on merit, like every other candidate.”
She urged Nigerians to participate in the legislative process, particularly during the public hearings scheduled for July, by asking questions and actively engaging with their lawmakers.
“This media event marks the kickoff of a nationwide campaign featuring town halls, meetings with state assemblies, and engagements across the six geopolitical zones—all aimed at building momentum ahead of the public hearings,” she said.
Also speaking, Chizoba Ogbeche, the North Central zonal vice president of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), said the project is being implemented by a consortium of civil society organisations, including the Inclusive Skills Development Initiative and Lawyers Alert.
“This is a strategy shift,” Ogbeche explained. “We are engaging directly with voters at the grassroots, who in turn will pressure their representatives at the National Assembly. Lawmakers listen when their constituents speak.”
She reiterated that the failure of previous gender bills was partly due to limited civic engagement and widespread misunderstanding of the proposals.
“This time, we are ensuring that everyone understands what the bill is about. It’s not about creating inequality—it’s about levelling the playing field,” she said.
With public hearings fast approaching, the League and its partners are urging Nigerians, especially women, to seize the opportunity to demand inclusive representation.
“We’re calling on Nigerians to support this bill. Don’t just assume, ask questions. Engage your legislators. Demand answers,” she added.
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