Women’s Reserved Seats Bill Set for Voting in October — Kalu

By Oluwakemi Kindness

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has assured that the parliament will deliberate and vote on the Special Seats Bill alongside other critical constitutional amendment bills when plenary resumes in October.

Kalu emphasized the need for sustained advocacy to ensure the passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, stressing that gender inclusion in governance is pivotal to deepening Nigeria’s democracy.

He made this known at a Roundtable Reception on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, by The Osasu Show (TOS) with support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Abuja on Monday.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu who is the sponsor of the landmark legislation clarified that the bill is not driven by emotions, but by empirical evidence and the pressing need to address structural imbalances in governance.

“As the sponsor of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, I want to make it abundantly clear: this bill is not born out of sentiment. It is born out of reason, out of evidence, out of the stubborn facts of our current reality. It is rooted in the belief that justice delayed is democracy denied,” Kalu declared.

He called on women’s groups to intensify grassroots mobilization and engage key stakeholders across the nation, urging them to amplify their voices and advocate for broad-based support.

Kalu further noted that the bill aligns with both the legislative agenda of the 10th House of Representatives and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to anchor national development on equity, justice, and inclusion.

“The 10th House of Representatives, under the purposeful leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, GCON, has placed inclusion at the heart of its legislative priorities. This commitment resonates with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is determined to dismantle entrenched norms through progressive policies and appointments. The Reserved Seats for Women Bill embodies this shared resolve, and the 10th Assembly is proud to champion this legislative cause,” he said.

Kalu also appealed to political parties, the media, and the general public to rally behind the bill, assuring that his office remains open to providing the necessary technical support and insights to advance the process.