Women groups have called on federal lawmakers from Benue State to champion and actively sponsor or support the swift passage of the “Special Seats for Women Bill.”
The Special Seats for Women Bill seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to create additional seats reserved for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly.
Lady Ruth Kpengwa, President of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria, on Tuesday, March 24, led the women to the Makurdi residence of Rep Dickson Tarkighir, Makurdi/Guma (APC), where they presented the petition. The women also presented the petition to Rep Asema Achado, Gwer/Gwer West (APC).
The women are praying that the federal lawmakers use their good offices and influence to persuade other lawmakers to support the bill, advocate for an emergency sitting to vote on the bill, and vote in favour of the bill when it is put to a vote on the floor of the House.
According to the women, their petition is grounded on international obligations, economic development, democracy and legitimacy, and national unity.
Kasada Muktar, Senior Legislative Aide to Rep Tarkighir, received the petition on behalf of the Makurdi/Guma representative.
He assured the women that Rep Tarkighir would do what they wanted.
Several women groups including League of Women Voters of Nigeria, Young Women in Politics Forum, Benue State, Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), and Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) were part of the advocacy visit.
