Ogbara Urges Immediate Passage of Women's Reserved Seats Bill for 2027 Elections
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, leading policymakers, civil society actors, and political stakeholders have intensified calls for coordinated action to tackle the ongoing underrepresentation of women in governance. This urgent appeal was the central focus of a high-level strategy meeting organized by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), the Nigerian Bar Association's Section on Public Interest and Development Law, and the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, with support from the European Union.
Key Issues and Legislative Delays
The meeting, themed "Advancing Women's Political Leadership: Strengthening Pathways to Inclusive Representation in 2027," highlighted three critical areas: the status of the Special Seats Bill, internal party reforms, and strategies to enhance women's participation in the upcoming electoral cycle. Kafilat Ogbara, Chair of the House Committee on Women Affairs, emphasized the pressing need to pass the Special Seats Bill, describing it as essential for correcting systemic exclusion.
"We just need to pass the bill. That's where we are," Ogbara stated, noting that despite increasing political will, delays within the National Assembly have hindered progress. She stressed that women's inclusion is not merely symbolic but directly linked to national development, stronger institutions, and responsive policymaking.
Grassroots Participation and Strategic Engagement
Ogbara lamented that while women dominate political participation at grassroots levels, they remain largely excluded from decision-making tables. She called for strategic engagement with political parties and traditional institutions, warning that without internal reforms and deliberate enforcement of existing gender provisions, progress would continue to be slow.
Importantly, she urged support for women already in office, noting that retaining female legislators is a practical way to "reserve seats" even before the bill is passed. This approach could serve as a stopgap measure to bolster representation in the interim.
Challenges in Candidate Presentation
Also speaking at the event, Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, member representing Keffi/Karu/Kokona federal constituency, highlighted a significant gap: the low number of women presenting themselves for elective positions. "You cannot vote for someone who has not presented herself," he pointed out, citing a recent political meeting where only four out of approximately 40 aspirants were women.
While expressing optimism about the bill's chances due to growing legislative backing, Gbefwi emphasized that women must actively seek office and support one another politically. He described women as a decisive voting bloc, noting their crucial role in electoral victories, yet questioned why this influence has not translated into more leadership positions.
Stark Representation Figures and Warnings
In his opening remarks, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC), painted a stark picture of women's political representation in Nigeria, labeling it as "embarrassing." He cited alarming figures, including only four female senators out of 109 and about 15 women in the 360-member House of Representatives, with nearly 15 states lacking any female lawmakers.
Nwankwo warned that failure to pass the Special Seats Bill would represent a major setback in Nigeria's constitutional reform efforts. He urged both the National Assembly and state legislatures to act decisively and raised concerns about party practices such as "unity lists," cautioning that male-dominated decision-making processes could further sideline women unless deliberate balancing measures are adopted.
The meeting underscored the critical need for legislative action and systemic changes to ensure greater gender inclusivity in Nigeria's political landscape as the 2027 elections draw nearer.
