In a move that has sparked intense debate, lawmakers in the National Assembly have rejected a bill proposing reserved seats for women in political parties. Instead, they advocated for mechanisms to enhance women’s participation in politics.
Olamijuwonlo Alao Akala (Oyo), Patrick Umoh (Akwa Ibom), and Billy Osawaru (Edo) opposed the bill, citing its inconsistency with constitutional provisions. This development comes after a similar bill failed to pass in the 9th assembly.
Proponents of the bill argued that reserved seats would promote gender equality and increase women’s representation in politics. However, opponents believe that capacity building, education, and empowerment programs would better address the underrepresentation of women in politics.
The rejection of the bill has sparked a national conversation on gender equality and political inclusion. While some hail the decision as a step towards merit-based politics, others see it as a setback for gender equality. The debate continues as Nigeria grapples with the complex issue of women’s participation in politics.
