The Nigerian Women and the National Women Leaders Forum of Political Parties have appealed to the leadership of the National Assembly to deliver a historic breakthrough for women’s political representation by generously voting in favour of and passing the Special Seats Bill currently before them.
In addition, the Forum called on traditional rulers and other stakeholders to support this corrective demand and endorse women in elective positions, stressing that the Bill represents a crucial step toward equity in governance.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, organised with the support of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), the National Women Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Mary Idele, declared: “What Nigerian women want is simple, pass the Bill now.”
The Special Seats Bill seeks to reserve additional seats for women in both the National and State Assemblies to guarantee minimum representation. Dr. Idele emphasised that with the passage of the Bill, Nigeria stands at the threshold of a historic transformation that will redefine democracy through genuine inclusion and gender balance.
She said Nigeria’s rock-bottom female representation is a national crisis that effectively silences half of the population. According to her, as of early 2025, Nigerian women hold just 3.9% of seats in the House of Representatives and 2.8% in the Senate. In the 10th National Assembly, only 4 out of 109 senators (2.7%) and 17 out of 360 House members (4.7%) are women, making it 4.2% across 469 seats. She added that the State Assemblies fare only slightly better, with 5.5% female representation, while 13 states have zero women lawmakers.
While noting that the Bill failed in the 9th Assembly and now faces a defining vote under the current National Assembly leadership, she stressed: “This is not a radical demand; it is a corrective demand to ensure women’s voices are heard in the making of laws, not as afterthoughts.”
To members of the National Assembly, she appealed that they are not only representing their constituents but must also ensure justice and equity for all by supporting the Bill. “Governors, urge your State Assemblies to pass the amendments. Democracy’s future depends on it. Traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society, media, and youths – keep the pressure alive. Advocate. Mobilise. Inform. Hold leadership accountable.”
Dr. Idele reiterated that this is not just about numbers but about justice, equity, and building a democracy that truly reflects the diversity of Nigeria. “Support the passage of the Special Seats Bill. Let us give women equity in representation.”
In her remarks, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the vote offers a defining moment for the country. She noted that Nigeria has more than 104 million women, yet only 21 women currently sit in the National Assembly. “Four are in the Senate, 17 are in the House of Representatives. Only 48 of 991 State legislators are women, and 13 State Assemblies have no women at all.”
While acknowledging that the imbalance is the result of long-standing structural barriers, she explained that the Special Seats Bill provides a constitutional tool to fix the problem through temporary additional seats for women at both the national and state levels.
Also speaking, Senator Grace Bent pointed out that while the Constitution promises equality, it is not being implemented. She therefore called for the immediate passage of the Bill, stressing that it is time for Nigeria to match constitutional guarantees with practical action.
