Katsina Assembly backs quick passage of women seats bill
The Katsina State House of Assembly Speaker, Nasiru Daura, has expressed strong support for the fast-tracked passage of the Special Seats for Women Bill.
He made this known after a large group of women, led by International Federation of Women Lawyers chairperson Baraka Suleiman, gathered at the Assembly complex to push for the bill’s approval.
In a petition dated March 23, 2025, the group described the proposed law as vital for boosting women’s participation in governance across the country.
The petitioners highlighted that despite women making up nearly half of Nigeria’s population and contributing significantly to national development, their representation in elective offices remains below five per cent.
They explained that the bill aims to introduce additional seats for women in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, noting that similar approaches have been used in countries like Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda.
The group urged lawmakers to act swiftly and secure the two-thirds majority needed for the bill’s passage, while also warning against any delays or attempts to weaken it.
They added that “women’s representation in the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, and local government councils remains below five per cent, making Nigeria one of the lowest-ranked countries in Africa in terms of women’s political inclusion.”
They further stated that “similar systems have been adopted in countries such as Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda to improve women’s representation in politics.”
The petition also noted that “similar constitutional amendment bills were considered by the 9th and 10th National Assemblies but failed to secure the required constitutional majority.”
According to the group, “The proposed legislation aligns with Nigeria’s international obligations under agreements such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Maputo Protocol.”
They added that “Greater female representation in governance could lead to improved outcomes in healthcare, education, community development, and poverty reduction.”
They emphasized that “A parliament that reflects the demographic composition of the country would be more responsive, accountable, and legitimate.”
Earlier, the women had also appealed to the House Committee on Women Affairs Chairman, Ali Abu Albaba, to help rally support among lawmakers and push for urgent consideration of the bill.
Responding, Daura praised women’s contributions to nation-building and assured the group that their petition would receive due attention.
“I will ensure that your petition is properly considered and, by the grace of God, I will make sure the Special Seats for Women Bill scales through for Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s assent soon.
“Women are nation builders and we must do all we can for their success,” he said.
Also speaking, the Katsina State chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Hannatu Mohammad, described the move as timely, stressing the need to address women’s underrepresentation in legislative roles.
