Reps Seek US Support For Nigeria’s Electoral Reforms, Gender Equity

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has advocated partnership with the United States government to support Nigeria’s efforts in promoting gender equity and electoral reforms.

Kalu made the call during a meeting with a delegation from the US Embassy in Nigeria led by David Frost, a political counsellor and Cassandra Carrony, at the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Deputy Speaker who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review said the collaboration would be on three key areas including technical expertise, advocacy and capacity building.

He specifically emphasised the need to share comparative insights on gender responsive electoral systems; amplify stakeholder engagement with civil society, media, political parties and co-create a women’s legislative leadership programme to train future female lawmakers.

“We seek the US Embassy support in various areas, technical expertise, share comparative insight on gender responsive, electoral system. Let’s know how you’ve done it and succeeded; advocacy, amplify stakeholders engagement with civil society, media and political party.

“You already have structures. We can adopt those structures and make them to reflect what we want to achieve with this particular mission. It’s not a fanciful outing. It’s impact oriented. We need to capacitate those that will drive the impact and it’s through this strategic partnership.

“For traditional rulers, we are thinking as a committee to integrate them into constitution and assigning roles to them, to help enhancing national cohesion and unity,” Kalu said.

The deputy speaker also said the constitution review committee has prioritised women participation in governance, judicial, local government reforms, the youth, amongst others.

He cited the low representation of women in legislative seats nationwide, stressing that the committee has proposed additional special seats for women in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assemblies.

“Nigeria’s democracy remains incomplete so long as half its population – its women – are relegated to the sidelines. Today, women hold a mere 4% of legislative seats nationwide. In some states, like Kano and Sokoto, not a single woman sits in the State Assembly. This is not just a failure of representation; it is a failure of justice.

“As a result of our wide consultations and engagements with various stakeholders, the committee is resolved to adding one Special Seat per state in the Senate and the House of Representatives at the national level and one seat per senatorial district at the sub-national level.

“To correct this imbalance, we have introduced the Special Seats
Bill (HB 1349) – a 16-year Temporary Special Measure to reserve 182 additional legislative seats for women (37 Senate, 37 House, 108 State Assemblies). This bill addresses systemic barriers – financial exclusion, electoral violence, and patriarchal norms – by creating women-only constituencies”, he said.

He advocated a broad-based public participation and partnership with the U.S. Embassy to ensure that Nigeria’s constitution becomes a beacon of equity, security, and prosperity.

“Our constitutional review is not just a legislative exercise it is a moral covenant with future generations. With the U.S. Embassy’s partnership, we can ensure Nigeria’s next Constitution becomes a beacon of equity, security, and prosperity.”

Earlier, the US delegation said their mission to the National Assembly was to explore areas of collaboration with the Deputy Speaker’s Office on the ongoing constitution review.

“The purpose of our visit is to further the collaboration we’ve had all these years. It’s important to maintain this connection and communication”, the delegation said.