By Aaron Ossai
The Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, and the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas have called on members of the 10th National Assembly to pass the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the creation of Special Reserved Seats for Women, describing it as the legislature’s defining democratic legacy.
The appeal was made during the 2026 National Assembly Open Week at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, where both speakers warned that failure to pass the bill would cast a shadow over the Assembly’s record despite its legislative achievements.
Speaking at the National Dialogue on the Electoral College Model for the Special Seats Bill, Nwankwo acknowledged the National Assembly’s productivity over the past three years through several reforms, bills and motions aimed at strengthening democratic governance.
However, he insisted that none of those initiatives matched the significance of the Special Reserved Seats Bill, describing it as a historic opportunity to correct the longstanding underrepresentation of women in elective offices.
Addressing the Speaker through the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, and Hajiya Fatima Abbas, Nwankwo urged sustained advocacy to secure the support of lawmakers in both chambers.
“This is the most important bill before this National Assembly. It is not the budget bill or the tax reform bill. The Special Seats for Women Bill is the greatest legacy this National Assembly can leave behind. If this bill does not pass, the legacy of the 10th National Assembly will be seriously questioned,” he said.
He also commended local and international partners, including the European Union and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), for supporting efforts to expand women’s political participation, noting that the bill’s passage would align Nigeria with global best practices on gender inclusion.
In her remarks, Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas lauded the leadership of the House of Representatives under Speaker Abbas Tajudeen for promoting transparency, citizen engagement, legislative reforms and inclusive governance.
She said the National Assembly Open Week reflected the legislature’s commitment to deepening democracy through public participation and dialogue.
According to her, the proposed constitutional amendment is a timely intervention to address the persistent underrepresentation of women and other marginalised groups in Nigeria’s political institutions.
“This Open Week reflects our shared belief that democracy thrives when citizens are informed, engaged and able to participate meaningfully in governance. By opening the legislature to dialogue and public engagement, the House of Representatives continues to strengthen public trust and deepen Nigeria’s democratic culture,” she said.
She stressed that a representative democracy must provide opportunities for every segment of society to participate in governance.
“The Special Seats Bill seeks to address the persistent underrepresentation of women and other marginalised groups in elective offices, ensuring that our democratic institutions better reflect the diversity of the Nigerian people. A stronger democracy is one in which every voice has a meaningful opportunity to be heard.”
She urged lawmakers, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders to sustain advocacy until the bill is passed into law.
Hajiya Abbas also commended President Bola Tinubu for advancing institutional reforms and inclusive governance through the Renewed Hope Agenda, while praising First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for championing women’s empowerment through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
She further acknowledged the House of Representatives Spouses Association (HORSA), which she chairs, for spearheading nationwide advocacy in support of the Special Seats Bill.
Earlier, women leaders, serving lawmakers, former public office holders and civil society organisations renewed calls for increased female representation in governance during the National Dialogue on the Electoral College Model for the Special Seats Bill.
Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, described Nigeria’s female representation in the National Assembly—currently about four per cent—as the lowest on the African continent.
She said the recently concluded party primaries exposed the structural barriers confronting women in politics, with many serving female lawmakers unable to secure their parties’ nominations.
“Women in Nigeria have been sidelined for far too long. The Reserved Seats for Women Bill deserves urgent attention. Despite the fact that many of the recent primaries were largely predetermined, women were still not adequately accommodated,” she said.
Ogbara expressed optimism that the National Assembly leadership’s commitment to gender inclusion would translate into concrete legislative action.
She explained that the bill seeks to create additional opportunities for women to participate in governance and urged stakeholders to consider the Electoral College Model as one of the implementation mechanisms.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Patricia Etteh, also backed the proposed reform, noting that democracies around the world continue to evolve by adopting measures that improve representation.
She endorsed the Electoral College Model and called for sustained civic education, political engagement and stronger commitment from political parties to promote women’s participation.
Responding, Speaker of the House Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, reaffirmed the House leadership’s commitment to securing the passage of the Special Seats Bill.
Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, also assured participants that lawmakers would continue to work across party lines to ensure the bill succeeds.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of women’s organisations, development partners, and the Deputy Governors of Rivers and Kaduna States.
