With the National Public Hearing on the Reserved Seats Bill underway today, September 22, in Abuja, stakeholders have renewed calls for intensified mobilisation and lobbying to secure the passage of the landmark legislation.
Chairing a “She the People Dialogue” panel on “Building a Strong Case for the Reserved Seats Bill: Strategies for Advocacy and Lobbying for Passage,” moderated by Glory Ohagwu, Gender Advocate Ene Obi recalled the resilience of Nigerian women during the 2022 protests when gender bills were rejected by the National Assembly.
“I remember the kind of work we did in 2022, the resilience of Nigerian women—market women, mothers, grandmothers, daughters—who stood at the battlefront. Now, we have a National Assembly bringing up this bill on their own. My charge is that we must sustain our solidarity and remain peaceful but determined,” Obi said.
A panellist, Dr Eunice Emmanuel, stressed the need for heightened awareness among legislators.
“Without women in democracy, we don’t have a complete democracy. Legislators need to understand the very essence of this bill. Let us create maximum awareness for the legislators to understand that without women in democracy, we don’t have a complete democracy.”
On his part, Dr Chiedozie Aja noted that some lawmakers still misunderstand the intent of the bill.
“Many of them still think women are out to take their seats, but it is not so. We need to engage them properly. Advocacy must be stronger, not confrontational, but strategic.”
Activist Aisha Yesufu urged lawmakers to think of legacy and accountability.
“This is not about women alone; it is about good governance. If members of the 10th Assembly want to be remembered in history, they must pass this bill. Nigerians are tired of excuses—this is the time for bold, courageous leadership.”
Other panellists also underscored the role of the media and grassroots networks. Evelyn Onyilo called for closer engagement with journalists:
“Women journalists must take ownership of this narrative, ensure ample media publicity in the newsroom and keep it on the national agenda.”
Similarly, Princess Edna Azura, President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), highlighted grassroots mobilisation.
“We must organise peaceful rallies across local communities and simplify this bill into different Nigerian languages so that women everywhere can understand and support it.”
From another panel on “Sustaining the Momentum: Strategies for Ensuring Passage of the Reserved Seats Bill,” moderated by Lara Owoye-Wise, submissions focused on solidarity and accessible integrated messaging.
Entrepreneur Ijeoma Ndukwe and mental health coach Gwen Ananti agreed that political jargon should be broken down.
“The language must be demystified away from political lingo, down to the understanding of everyone, from entrepreneurs to market women, for ease of advocacy.”
Adora Onyechere reinforced the importance of visibility.
“Continuous mass mobilisation and sustained media advocacy will be critical to ensuring the Reserved Seats Bill secures passage.”
Politician, Nikky Onyeri, reaffirmed the need to get the support of political parties for the inclusion of gender quota in their laws;” if it must work, the political parties must include a quota for female aspirants in their laws…” she said
Reacting, APC National Deputy Women Leader Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim cautioned against confrontational tones.
“This is not the time for activism; we must appeal, we must stoop to conquer…Also, hold the leadership of your political parties to account, lobby them; every legislator belongs to a political party.”
Also, former APC Senatorial aspirant Ada Ogbu, sharing her experience, stressed the urgent need for strategic reorientation in the South East, where cultural stereotypes undermine women’s leadership capacity.
“They said, how can a woman who squats to pee be our senator? Enugu State has never had a female senator. The state has only had one female member of the House of Representatives for many years. I was only the second woman to win the ticket of a major party in the state. And yet, for some, the fact that you squat to wee means you cannot represent them.”
Appealing for broader civic enlightenment, she warned:
“There is a female politician who thinks the Reserved Seats Bill is an appointment, not elective. If we really don’t face these truths, we will miss the point. We must do much more to educate, enlighten, and reshape mindsets because people simply don’t know enough.”
Meanwhile, the President of the Network of Women with Disabilities and disability inclusion advocate, Lois Auta, expressed optimism that the Reserved Seats Bill would mark a turning point for inclusive governance in Nigeria.
“We are hopeful that all the stakeholders involved in the advocacy, in the community engagement, in the media and everywhere will be responsible enough to write their names in gold, to make history, and to also leave a legacy to implement the bill for a good future. That is, yes, women have the right to vote and be voted for. Not just women, but also women with disabilities,” she said.
Auta welcomed the decision of the National Assembly leadership to reserve a percentage for women with disabilities, describing it as a critical step toward full political inclusion.
“…This is important to us because Section 30 of the Nigeria Disability Act states that women with disabilities have the right to political participation. We want to see inclusive governance, inclusive democracy, women moving from exclusion to inclusion, from inclusion to participation, and from participation to representation. Once we are represented, we will be able to be part of decision-making processes actively and with much confidence,” she declared.
The various submissions underscore that the Reserved Seats Bill transcends gender; it is about strengthening democracy, advancing justice, and accelerating development.
Stakeholders firmly agree that democracy without women is half-built, representation without inclusion is injustice, and silence in this defining moment is complicity.