The House of Representatives has rescinded its decision to reject three out of four bills related to women in the recent 1999 constitution amendment being carried out by the National Assembly.
The three bills to provide Criteria for Qualification to become an Indigene of a State in Nigeria, to Expand the Scope of Citizenship by Registration as well as one to Provide for Affirmative Action for Women in Political Party Administration would be recommit to the House for reconsideration.
The Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business, Abubakar Fulata, said the three bills failed to secure the required two third votes while the House adopted the report of the Special Committee on Constitution Amendment.
He said “The three bills failed to secure the approval of Two-Third members of the House as they got less than 240 Votes needed.”
Supporting the motion, Mr. Toby Okechukwu said the move was to ensure that women are better accommodated in the governance
Toby said, “the women folk constitute about 50% of the Nigerian population.”
In a remark, before putting the motion to vote, Speaker House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila said if the bills failed to have common decision with the Senate, the two Chambers would harmonize the position.
“Once we rescind these three clauses and we take them again in the next few weeks, if we still at that point have a difference with the Senate, we will go for harmonization.” Gbajabiamila stated.
However, the bill for the Provisions for Special Seat for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly is still pending hoping to be rescinded as well.
The clauses being reconsidered
36. Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Expand the Scope of Citizenship by Registration; and for Related Matters.
37. Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for Affirmative Action for Women in Political Party Administration; and for Related Matters.
38. Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide Criteria for Qualification to become an Indigene of a State in Nigeria; and for Related Matters.
Confidence Okwuchi
