Women organisations across the country have intensified pressure on lawmakers to expedite the passage of the Special Seats for Women Bill ahead of party primaries.
The groups submitted formal letters of demand to members of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly in all 36 states.
Party primaries are scheduled to be conducted between April and May 2026 in accordance with the INEC timetable.
The coordinated advocacy, carried out simultaneously nationwide, saw a coalition of women leaders, civil society organisations, grassroots groups and community advocates deliver petitions directly to legislators, urging them to prioritise the bill as the National Assembly resumed from recess to continue deliberations on constitutional amendments.
In Abuja, the coalition, led by the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), included the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), and International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), among others.
The groups said the constituency-based engagement was designed to underscore the urgency, public backing and national importance of the proposed legislation, which sought to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in governance.
Speaking in Abuja, President of NILOWV, Irene Awuna-Ikyegh, described the bill as a national development imperative rather than a gender-focused intervention, noting that it aimed to foster a more inclusive political system that reflects Nigeria’s diversity.
MCE slams INEC’s 2026 guidelines, warns of voter apathy, exclusion of small parties
Leaders of other organisations, including FIDA, NAWOJ and NCWS, also reiterated that the passage of the bill would significantly expand opportunities for women to participate in elections across the country.
In Gombe State, 12 women’s groups rallied to demand reserved seats for women in the 2027 elections, citing the need for inclusivity in governance.
The groups, led by the Gombe State Chairperson of the League for Women Voters in Nigeria, Hadiza Maina Sule, delivered petitions to six members of the House of Representatives in the state, urging them to push for the passage of the bill.
She also said they were advocating for even 50 per cent representation in executive and legislative positions, emphasising that women’s participation was crucial for addressing their issues, yearnings and aspirations.
In Lagos, members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State chapter, have joined a coalition of women groups across the state to advocate for the passage of the bill.
Chairperson, NAWOJ Lagos, Jumoke Johnson, said the mobilisation was part of a nationwide effort to ensure federal lawmakers prioritise gender inclusion in the National Assembly.
The NAWOJ Lagos boss urged for a swift passage of the Bill at the National Assembly and an immediate signing for the all-around betterment of Nigeria.
