As Nigeria’s National Assembly gets set for public hearing to review the 1999 Constitution, the National Coordinator of Excellent Women International, Mrs Christabel Okoye has called for collective action for women’s inclusion in governance.
The public hearing, scheduled for between July 4-5th, 2025 in the geo-political zones across the country is aimed at gathering Nigerians’ input on the proposed constitutional amendment.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, Mrs. Okoye, urged all discussants at the hearing especially politicians to make deliberate efforts in endorsing more women in governance.
She said the implementation of Beijing declaration on Women’s rights is long over due, thereby urging the stakeholders of the Constitution review to give it the required support needed for proper implementation in Nigeria.
Mrs. Okoye also believed that it is time to give women one third in the National Assembly, recommending that at least one senator seat should be given to women while men have the two seats in each state , in the area of appointment women should have the 30 percent ratio.
“I think one-quarter of House of Representatives members should be women. Women should be considered. It’s very, very important. We are mothers, and we have passion for this. And when women are included, you see a lot of difference.
Sorry to say, so many women are not corrupt. Women are out to build. So I plead that one-quarter of women be included in this constitution for a new beginning. For the Senate and other elected positions, you know we have three senatorial districts in each state.
Why not do it two for men and one for women? It is very good. Do you understand? One senator should be a woman and two men from every state. This is a very good consideration for us as women.
But currently in the 10th Senate, out of 109, we have only three women in the Senate. Is it not laughable, funny and insignificant? The number is almost nothing, it’s zero; it’s not fair” She said.
Mrs. Okoye also advised the participants to consider creation of state police to curb insecurity in the country.
“State police should be the first thing to be considered in the constitution now. I’m talking of now, now, now, this minute. If there’s state police, you won’t see these reckless killings; you won’t see this illegal trespassing.
You see this recklessness everywhere will come to a halt. So why not do something immediately? That should be the first thing to consider because it is when you have life that you talk of appointment, you talk of women being this and being that.
Please, let state police be considered now. What is delaying it? I’m in support 100% plus” Mrs. Okoye said.
She commended the efforts of president Bola Ahmad Tinubu in curving the menace of drug abuse and urged the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and other agencies to work together in curbing the menace in the country.
“You will see youths walking on the street and talking, murmuring. NDLEA are doing a good job, but please, let all hands be on deck concerning drugs. This is the fight that I started in 2006 with NAFDAC then NDLEA and now National Assembly.
Please, we need to do something fast about drug abuse and reckless behaviour, trafficking, and so many other things so that all these problems will come to an end”, She urged.