The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has advocated for constitutional support for reserve seats for women, citing the fact that their representation in Nigerian politics does not reflect their population size or voting power. He pointed out that women make up about half of Nigeria's population and an even greater number of active voters, but they are grossly under-represented in both elected and appointive offices. The governor made the address on Thursday at the launch of the North-West zonal campaign for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, which is part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
According to him, women presently hold less than 5% of parliamentary seats at the national level, which he considers unacceptable in a democracy. He noted that the North-West has historically had minimal female participation in electoral politics, owing to strongly ingrained societal standards, economic restraints, and limited access to political networks. "This discrepancy is not a reflection of capacity or competency; it is the outcome of long-standing structural, cultural, economic, and institutional restrictions.
"However, these realities are not immutable. They evolve when institutions change, leadership is intentional, and women step forward with confidence," the governor said. Sani cited Kaduna State as a compelling example of what is possible when purposeful policies are implemented to encourage inclusion, noting that the state leads Northern Nigeria in women's political representation. "We have a female Deputy Governor, a female Majority Leader of the Kaduna State House of Assembly—the first in the North-West—a female Head of Service, and a female elected Local Government Chairman in Jaba," he told reporters. He said that women now lead critical ministries like as Health, Business Innovation, Youth Development, and Women Affairs, as well as strategic parastatals throughout the state.
According to the governor, these accomplishments show that women can win elections, lead effectively, and command public trust when given a fair chance. "These milestones did not happen by chance. "They are the result of deliberate choices, inclusive leadership, and the courage of women who stood up to contest and serve," he said. Sani remembered Nigeria's pledges to female inclusion, including the Beijing Declaration's 30% affirmative action standard and the National female Policy's 35% ambition. He emphasised that the Reserved Seats for Women Bill is consistent with worldwide democratic best practices and strives to solve persistent under-representation through constitutionally guaranteed legislative seats.
"The bill proposes 182 additional seats for women across the National and State Assemblies—one per state and the FCT in the Senate, one per state and the FCT in the House of Representatives, and three per state in the Houses of Assembly," he said. The governor stressed that the bill does not replace existing seats but expands representation, and that it is designed as a temporary intervention spanning four election cycles.She described the trend as a wake-up call.
Idele stated that the proposed bill would preserve women's political space, encourage young girls across Nigeria, and strengthen Nigeria's democracy, adding that it was "not a favour to women, but an investment in Nigeria's future."
Post a Comment