The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has canvassed for free seats for Nigerian female politicians in the legislature and that they be made joint candidates in any executive position in the country.
This is even as he proposed a constitutional amendment to reserve legislative seats for women and ensure their inclusion in joint tickets for executive roles.
The Speaker made this suggestion at the International Legislative Dialogue on Women and Constitutional Amendments in Abuja.
Tajudeen, therefore, highlighted the need for reforms promoting gender equity.
He said, “I am proud to say this House prioritizes inclusivity. I have directed the Constitutional Review Committee to focus on reforms that secure additional or reserved seats for women in our legislative bodies.”
The Speaker further recommended that top executive positions, such as President and Vice President, should feature joint tickets with male and female candidates.
Additionally, Tajudeen advocated for granting citizenship rights to foreigners married to Nigerian women. This is even as he said the proposal is similar to the rights already extended to men married to Nigerian women.
The Speaker, therefore, expressed concern over the low representation of women in the National Assembly. He noted that since 1999, only 20 out of 469 seats have been held by women.
He said, “This stark gap speaks not of a lack of capable women but of institutional barriers we must dismantle. Increased women’s representation is not a threat; it complements men’s contributions, enriching policymaking. If we trust women to shape our homes and educate our children, we should trust them to help shape our nation.”
Tajudeen pointed to other African countries as examples. He cited Rwanda, where women make up over 60% of parliament. And South Africa, Namibia and Senegal, which have also advanced gender inclusivity.
“These countries show the impact of women’s perspectives on governance and development,” he said.
The Speaker also stressed the importance of youth engagement in decision-making. This, he said is borne out of the fact that over 60 percent of Nigeria’s population in under 25.
He, therefore, announced plans for a youth town hall to develop strategies for youth inclusion and leadership mentorship.
“These initiatives reflect our commitment to empowering young Nigerians. Especially women, to actively shape and lead our nation’s future,” he stated.
Speaking in the same light, Nigeria First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, bemoaned the negligible number of women in elective positions in the country.
The First Lady who was represented by Kwara State First Lady, Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, lamented that Nigerian women still struggle to gain equal representation in politics.
She said, “While some progress has been made, it is disheartening that only a few women were elected into the National Assembly. Women contribute significantly to the electoral process. Yet their participation in governance is curtailed by policies that disadvantage them.”
The First Lady, therefore, highlighted the slow progress in creating sustainable pathways for women’s participation in leadership.
The former Senator, therefore, advocated for the adoption of gender-responsive policies to support women. And to address socio-cultural barriers hindering national growth.
The Deputy Speaker and Chairman House Committee on Constitution Amendment, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, supported the views of the Speaker. He, therefore, stressed the urgency of tackling gender imbalances.
According to him, out of 15,307 candidates fielded by 18 political parties in 2023 general elections, only 1,552 were women.
The Deputy Speaker stated that integrating women into decision-making roles is a strategic imperative, not merely an issue of equity. He, therefore, called for continued efforts to make Nigerian democracy more inclusive.
source: Daily Trust
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