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'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Nigerian House of Representatives has introduced a bill aimed at creating six special legislative seats for women and persons with disabilities (PWDs), expanding the House membership from 360 to 366. Titled the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) (Six Special Seats for Special Interest Groups) Bill, 2024 (HB.1811), the proposal seeks to amend Section 49 of the 1999 Constitution to address the persistent underrepresentation of women and PWDs in national politics.
The bill, presented by House Spokesman Akintunde Rotimi (Ekiti-APC), passed its first reading on Wednesday. If ratified, the six additional seats would be distributed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, ensuring one designated representative for each group—women and PWDs—in every region. This structured regional allocation aims to provide a balanced and equitable platform for historically marginalized groups to have a direct voice in legislative decision-making.
The special seats would function in parallel with existing House seats, with the representatives serving the same term duration and receiving equivalent benefits. However, eligibility for these seats requires that candidates meet the standard qualifications applicable to regular House members. The proposed election process would involve an electoral college system, wherein candidates are selected by members of national associations representing each special group. This multi-tiered election framework includes grassroots and regional inputs to ensure comprehensive representation.
Rotimi highlighted the necessity of this bill, emphasizing that these special seats represent a vital step in creating a legislative environment that values inclusion. “The inclusion of these special seats will ensure that the voices of underrepresented groups are heard at the national level, creating a more balanced and inclusive legislative framework for Nigeria,” he remarked during the plenary.
This proposed amendment underscores the growing recognition of the challenges faced by women and PWDs in Nigeria’s political landscape. With women and persons with disabilities often encountering barriers to political participation—including financial, social, and structural obstacles—the bill represents an effort to dismantle these barriers by guaranteeing them reserved spaces in the federal legislative body. The presence of designated seats for these groups could foster more inclusive policies that address issues relevant to marginalized populations, from social welfare to accessibility in public infrastructure.
Inclusive representation in the House of Representatives is also expected to encourage broader civic engagement from women and PWDs, potentially inspiring future candidates from these communities to enter the political arena. By institutionalizing seats for marginalized groups, Nigeria’s legislative body sends a message that diverse perspectives are crucial to democratic governance and that every citizen deserves an avenue to participate in shaping the country’s future.
As the bill moves through legislative procedures, advocates for inclusion and human rights view it as a critical milestone. If adopted, Nigeria would join a growing list of nations taking concrete steps to ensure political representation for marginalized communities. Additionally, this approach could lead to future policies and frameworks that further support inclusion in governance at all levels.
With Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, the introduction of the Six Special Seats for Special Interest Groups bill reflects a proactive approach by lawmakers to ensure that Nigeria’s democracy encompasses a wider spectrum of voices, making it more representative and resilient. By establishing reserved seats for women and persons with disabilities, the House of Representatives demonstrates a commitment to a truly inclusive governance system—one where all groups have a stake in national decision-making processes.
