By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
With women occupying just 3% of seats in the Nigerian Senate and only 3.9% in the House of Representatives, stakeholders in Ebonyi Central Senatorial district have declared their support for the Reserved Seat Bill aimed at correcting the gender imbalance in political leadership.
The declaration was made at Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area during a town hall meeting organized by Women Aid Collective (WACOL) in partnership with UN Women and sponsored by the Government of Canada.
The bill, currently before the National Assembly, seeks to create additional legislative seats at the federal and state levels, exclusively for women.
UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, described the bill as a “bold and necessary step,” warning that development is not sustainable if women are excluded from decision-making spaces.
“People ask if gender equality is achievable in Nigeria. The answer is yes,” Eyong said.
“Nigeria still has a long way to go. Some African countries like Rwanda and South Africa have met the 30% target for women’s representation, while Nigeria remains at 3% in the Senate and 3.9% in the House of Representatives.”
She urged state governments to intensify efforts toward gender inclusion to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Delivering a keynote, Mr. Okechukwu Okpara, a law lecturer at Ebonyi State University, explained that the bill proposes one additional Senate and House of Representatives seat in each state and the FCT, to be reserved strictly for women.
“In Ebonyi, three new State Assembly seats; one from each senatorial zone—will also be created,” he said.
“This does not stop women from contesting existing seats; it only guarantees a baseline of female representation.”
Okpara stressed that only 48 of 990 legislative seats nationwide are currently held by women, and 14 Nigerian states have no female lawmakers at all. He noted that the bill would run for three electoral cycles: 2027, 2031, and 2035, before being reviewed.
Community and religious leaders also voiced support for the bill during a panel session.
HRH Eze Vincent Nwoke Oshegbe of Ezza North called on traditional rulers to challenge customs that suppress women and to include more women in community cabinets.
“Before now, most elders in rural areas did not know about this bill. Now that we do, we must return home and change customs that relegate women. We will sensitize our communities to educate and empower our female children,” he said.
Pastor Pius Christian added, “The Bible does not condemn women in leadership. This bill will help liberate them politically.”
Representing political parties, Pastor Elechi Peter Ekene stated, “Political parties are solidly behind this initiative.”
Civil society advocate Mrs. Esther Eze Nkemdilim urged women to change their negative perspectives on politics and participate actively in politics within their locality. While Mr. Nwali Henry, speaking on behalf of the Ebonyi State Government, affirmed that the state would align with the bill once passed.
Other dignitaries who lend their support on the bill include; representative of CP Adaku Uche-Anya , the Vice Chairperson of FIDA Ebonyi state, Dr. Okpogo Ogo Onwe among various stakeholders across the senatorial zone.
High point of the event include signing of the HeForShe campaign, as participants pledged their support for inclusive governance.