The National Assembly has pledged to consider the Special Seats Bill currently before it, following sustained advocacy by Nigerian women groups.
Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi Jr, gave the assurance while addressing protesting women at the entrance of the National Assembly Complex.
He said that the House has over forty bills for consideration and the Special Seat for Women Bill is part of it.
He encouraged the women groups not to relent in their advocacy as the National Assembly “is listening to them.”
Mr. Rotimi added that both the House of Representatives and the Senate would give speedy consideration to the women’s bills before the National Assembly.
He urged the women to also hold their legislators accountable if the bills do not sail through.
The rally was attended by various women groups in the country.
The National Zonal Vice President of the National Association of Women Journalists, Mrs. Chizoba Ogbeche, said that women are not asking for too much.
She urged the National Assembly not to repeat the mistake of 2022.
“The tenth assembly should do the right thing. So, we are asking them that they should write their name in gold,” Mr. Ogbeche said.
The Executive Director, Ene Obi Center for Development, Mrs. Ene Obi, appreciated the National Assembly for the support so far and appealed for the passage of the Special Seat for Women Bill.
FIDA Nigeria, represented by its National Secretary, Mrs. Rekia Adejoh-Andrews, also called on the National Assembly not to deprive Nigerian women of the opportunity to participate in governance.
The groups presented their position paper to the Spokesman of the House of Representatives for onward submission to the leadership of the National Assembly.