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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Imo Assembly to consider bill reserving seats for women

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Imo State House of Assembly will favorably consider a bill to reserve three additional seats for women.
  • The League of Women Voters of Nigeria advocated for the bill, aiming to increase women's participation in political decision-making.
  • The proposed legislation would expand the Assembly from 27 to 30 members, with seats allocated by an electoral college model.

The Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Chike Olemgbe, has pledged favorable consideration for a bill seeking to reserve three additional seats for women in the state legislature. This assurance was given during an advocacy visit by the Imo State chapter of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV).

We cannot achieve anything as women without the support of the men. The women need a space to discuss on issues concerning them.

— Uju OnwudiweA former Assembly member explained the necessity of male support for women's political advancement.

Olemgbe stated that if the bill is presented to the 10th Assembly during its tenure, it will receive positive legislative attention. He emphasized the importance of supporting women to contribute more effectively to the state's development. He also noted Governor Hope Uzodimma's support for the emergence of four female candidates from the All Progressives Congress who may join the Assembly in the 11th House.

This bill which is the first in the constitution amendment town hall meeting is aimed at promoting participation of women in the political decision making in the state. The bill talks about all-inclusiveness.

— Uju OnwudiweUju Onwudiwe described the purpose and scope of the proposed legislation.

Uju Onwudiwe, a former Assembly member and representative of the League of Women Voters, explained that the bill aims to reserve one seat from each of Imo State's three senatorial districts. She clarified that the initiative is not intended to displace men but to promote women's participation in political decision-making and ensure inclusiveness. This proposal is part of a constitutional amendment process.

The special seats offers three extra seats for the House of Assembly, so that instead of having 27 lawmakers, Imo Assembly will now have 30 member-house. It will go through a electoral college model that brings stakeholders together for decision-making.

— Uju OnwudiweThe former lawmaker detailed how the bill would alter the Assembly's composition and selection process.

The bill seeks to increase the number of lawmakers in the Imo Assembly from 27 to 30. The additional seats would be filled through an electoral college model involving stakeholders. Mrs. Ogechi Ikeh, representing NILOWV's National President, urged the Assembly to support the legislation, stressing the need to bring capable, competent women into positions of power to contribute to national growth and balance.

There’s need to bring women with capacity, integrity and competence into the corridors of power for contributions on matters that concern them and to bring a balance to national growth.

— Mrs Ogechi IkehMrs. Ikeh, representing NILOWV, emphasized the qualifications needed for women in leadership roles.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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