The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, has pledged the support of the legislature for the proposed Special Seats Bill aimed at increasing women’s representation in Nigeria’s political institutions.
Rt. Hon. Udeze gave the assurance when a delegation from the Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC) paid an advocacy visit to the Assembly under Project IMPACT – Inclusive Mobilization for Participation, Advocacy, and Civic Transformation.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
SIDEC is implementing the project in collaboration with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, with funding support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Speaking during the meeting, the Speaker said the Assembly recognizes the need to strengthen women’s participation in governance and would support the proposed constitutional amendment when it comes before the House.
“The purpose of your visit has already been achieved. In fact, I do not even need a visit to do this. You should be the third or fourth group coming to advocate on this issue,” Udeze said.
The Speaker emphasized that women play critical roles in African societies and therefore deserve greater representation in political leadership.
“Practically, women need to be given a voice. I do not see women as the weaker sex; rather, in many cases men are”.
Udeze however, noted that cultural and structural barriers still hinder women’s participation in politics, pointing particularly to the rising cost of elections and prevailing societal attitudes.
“In terms of elections, it is not easy. The cultural setting and the political structure do not support women in politics. The cost of elections is getting higher every day.”
Udeze also questioned the level of support women receive when they contest elections, noting that political financing and social acceptance remain major obstacles.
“The most practical question is: can women vote for women? Often the answer is no. Who provides the funds? How many men are ready to allow their wives to go into politics?” Udeze asked.
The speaker however assured the delegation that the Anambra State House of Assembly would support the Special Seats Bill.
“Once it comes to Anambra State, we will support it. When it is here, we will vote yes.”
Also speaking, the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Jude Ngobili, described the campaign for greater political participation by women as an issue that has long been in the public discourse.
“What you have come to say has been in the news for a long time. People have been advocating that women should be given more participatory roles in governance and that they should have more elective positions. For me, it is the way to go,” Ngobili submitted.
The Chief Whip pointed to examples of Nigerian women who have excelled in leadership, including the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“Take someone like Okonjo-Iweala. She served as Coordinating Minister of the Economy and performed so well that today some people are even calling for her to return and become President.”
According to Ngobili, competent women who step forward for leadership will always earn support from society.
“I believe that if any woman who has what it takes steps forward, society should support her,” he added.
In her speech, the Executive Director of SIDEC, Mrs. Ugochi Ehiahuruike, said the Special Seats Bill seeks to amend the Nigerian Constitution to create reserved legislative seats for women in order to address their low representation in governance.
“Nigeria currently has only four female senators, 16 women in the House of Representatives and 55 women across the 36 State Houses of Assembly,” she said.
Ehiahuruike explained that the proposed amendment seeks to create 37 additional Senate seats for women—one for each state and the Federal Capital Territory—37 seats in the House of Representatives and three seats in each State House of Assembly, one for each senatorial district.
“In total, we are advocating for 108 reserved seats for women. Apart from these, women will still be free to contest other elective positions alongside men.”
Ehiahuruike maintained that increasing women’s representation in governance would strengthen democratic participation and national development. “We believe that when women are elected, they can contribute their quota to the development of the country.
“We commend the Anambra State Governor for appointing women into key positions in the state’s executive council. Women form a significant part of the cabinet, especially in policy-making positions. The Head of Service is a woman, and we also have six women serving as commissioners.
“However, we still do not have enough women in elective positions, which is why we are supporting the passage of the Special Seats Bill. We passionately appeal to you Mr Speaker and other lawmakers to support the bill whenever it comes up for consideration.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that other members of the House and the Clerk, Mr. Anthony Emeka Ughenu, received the visitors.
