WPP Demands Swift Approval of Special Seats Bill

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Women Political Participation (WPP), a coalition of women’s groups, has urged the National Assembly of Nigeria to fast-track the passage of the Special Legislative Seats for Women constitutional amendment bill.

The coalition made the call on Monday during a Special Seats Solidarity Rally held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the rally, civil society activist Ene Obi said the gathering was organised to commend lawmakers for the progress made so far on the bill, while urging those yet to take a position to support it.

Obi noted that although the bill is currently before the National Assembly, it would still require approval by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly before it can be fully implemented.

“With INEC already releasing the timetable for the 2027 general elections, there is an urgent need to act fast so that women can prepare and mobilise ahead of time,” she said, referring to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

She described Nigeria’s low level of women’s political representation as “a national shame,” noting that 14 state Houses of Assembly currently have no female lawmakers.

“Women must be at the table when decisions are being taken, especially on issues that directly affect them, such as maternal mortality,” Obi said.

She added that the coalition would closely monitor the voting process. “We are watching. Those who support this bill will be recognised, while those who oppose it will be known in their constituencies,” she said, announcing plans to organise a solidarity awards event in March for lawmakers who back the bill.

Chairman of the coalition, Ebere Ifendu, said while the National Assembly was giving attention to amendments to the Electoral Act, equal priority should be given to the Special Seats Bill.

“There can be no electoral integrity without inclusion,” Ifendu said. “The special seats bill provides an opportunity to correct long-standing constitutional imbalances and bring more women into governance.”

She urged lawmakers to consider the bill alongside ongoing deliberations on electoral reforms, stressing that it was not too much to address both simultaneously.

Another civil society activist, Adora Jack, commended the National Assembly for showing political will by advancing the bill but said such commitment must translate into concrete results.

“Political will is incomplete without political action,” she said. “If this bill is not passed early enough, women will miss the opportunity to participate fully in the 2027 elections and may have to wait until 2031.”

Jack warned that delaying the bill would undermine years of advocacy. “We protested in 2022. This time, we are here in solidarity, asking the National Assembly to turn commitment into action by passing this bill,” she said.

Also speaking, Yeside Olasinbur said the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, had played a key role in sustaining momentum for the bill.

She said the Speaker’s office had left no stone unturned in mobilising support and urged lawmakers who were yet to publicly declare their position to do so.

“This is about our wives, mothers, daughters, and the future of the country,” Olasinbur said. “Posterity will remember the 10th National Assembly positively if it succeeds in passing the Special Seats Bill.”