UK Tasks Nigeria’s Parliament On Women Inclusion In Governance.

By Ferdinand Olise

The United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliament Association has thrown its weight behind the Bill seeking special seats for women at the Nigeria’s National, and State Houses of Assembly.

A delegation of the UK Parliament during a courtesy call on the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio in Abuja on Monday highlighted the need for the passage of the Bill seeking constitution amendment on women inclusiveness in governance.

Leader of the delegation, Kate Ofunne Osamor, who pushed for the consideration, and passage of the Bill, said the UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliament is very interested in the legislative proposal aimed at better women inclusiveness in governance .

The Bill seeking special seats for women in Parliament as sponsored in the 9th Assembly, and re – sponsored in the 10th National Assembly, seeks for the amendment of sections 77( 1), and 117( 1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria .

The Bill specifically seeks to establish 37 new seats in the Senate, one for each state, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT.)

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives will add 74 seats, two for each State, and the FCT, just as it envisions the creation of 108 additional seats across State Houses of Assembly nationwide, allocating three seats per State.

In his response, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the Bill would be looked, into and given required consideration.