By: Gbenga Akingbule
North East Zonal Senate Public Hearing on Friday focused on key issues, including demands for the creation of new states and proposals for special reserved seats for women in the National Assembly.
Gatekeepers News reports that the agitatation for creation of new Local Government Councils and the issue of Independent Candidacy was were also canvassed .
This was disclosed during the ongoing 2-Day North East Senate Committee Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution held at the Muhammadu Indimi Multipurpose Hall, University of Maiduguri.
The Zonal Public Hearing provided a platform for stakeholders accross the six states of the zone to air their views on constitutional reforms. The demands for state creation and special additional seats for women in the National Assembly point out the need for inclusive governance and representation in the region.
The event highlighted the growing push for constitutional amendments that address the aspirations creation of new states and demands of various groups, including women and local communities.
The creation of Savannah state from present day Borno , Amana State from Adamawa , Katagum State from Bauchi , Kwararafa and Muri from Taraba State, are some of the new states being canvassed.
Hon. Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir, the Director General , National Centre for of Women’s Development who presented the Federal Ministry of Wmen Affairs position paper of Federal Ministry of Women Affairs advocated for additional special seats for women in the National Assembly.
“Establishing Special Seats for Women provides an equitable and strategic mechanism to address these long-standing structural barriers, thereby enhancing inclusive representation and responsive governance; as women bring valuable perspectives to critical areas such as education, healthcare, gender-based-violence and economic empowerment sectors that are often underrepresented in traditional policymaking.
“The bill aims to provide special seats for women in the national and state houses of assembly through the amendment of various sections of the 1999 Constitution. In the bill, section 48, which provides for composition of the senate as three senators from each state and one from the Federal Capital Territory, totalling 109 senators, is to be amended to include “one additional senator for each state and the Federal Capital Territory, who shall be a woman”, making 37 more senators.
“Section 49, which provides that the House of Reps shall consist of 360 members, is to be amended to include “two additional members for each state and the Federal Capital Territory, who shall be women”, that is 74 more of Reps members. At the state houses of assembly, the bill proposes extra 108 seats specially for women through the addition of one female member from each of the three senatorial districts in the 36 state assemblies,” Hon Asabe said.
Borno State Coordinator of Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) Hajja Yabawa Kolo stated that 10th National National Assembly is at thr verge of making a historic step towards addressing the issue of Women’s underrepresentation in the political space.
Kolo commended delegates from partner civil society organizations and women’s networks, expressing appreciation to the National Assembly leadership and State Governors for championing inclusive governance through theAdditional/Reserved Seats Bill, a key component of the ongoing 1999 Constitution review.
“This Bill is pivotal. If passed, it will position Nigeria for accelerated, inclusive development, aligning us with other progressive nations advancing gender-balanced governance.”
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, represented by the Senate Chief Whip, and Chairman of North East Senate Committee Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno assured that due consideration would be given to all memoranda presented during the public hearing.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, represented by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Umar Kadafur, at the occasion, had welcomed stakeholders to the state capital, expressing hope that all memoranda presented by stakeholders “will make Nigeria greater and better.”
