Accord Party asks n’assembly to expedite action on bill seeking special seats for women

The Accord Party has asked the senate and house of representatives to expedite action on the bill seeking to create extra seats for women in the national assembly.

In a statement issued on Saturday to mark the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD), Maxwell Mgbudem, chairman of Accord, said Nigeria won’t record sustainable development when women are marginalised in politics.

A proposed legislation aimed at creating 74 seats for women in the national assembly has passed the second reading stage at the green chamber.

Sponsored by Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, and 12 other lawmakers, the bill intends to alter sections 48, 49, 71, and 117 of the constitution to create one “special seat reserved exclusively for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state of the federation and the federal capital territory (FCT)”.

Mgbudem said the theme of this year’s IWD, ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’, highlights the remarkable contributions women have made in nation-building, the challenges they face and the urgent action needed to address them.

“Nigerians cannot be in one accord in fostering national unity, prosperity, sustainable development and democracy when half of the population is marginalised,” the statement reads.

“For a long time, Nigerian women have been facing gender inequality, discrimination, harassment, violence, lack of access to quality education and early marriage.

“It is time to change the narrative and use the occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day to advance their rights and empower them to actualize their potentials essential in building a strong,  progressive, egalitarian and decent democratic society.

“As a gender-friendly political party, Accord urges the National Assembly to expedite action on the special seats for women in parliament bill and ensure its passage as a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring women’s inclusion in politics and representation in governance.”

Mgbudem said there is a need for stakeholders to accelerate action on gender equality and empowerment of women.

The Accord chairman said women should be uplifted for a “better and greater Nigeria”.

Mgbudem stressed that Nigerian women and girls want action on gender parity and inclusivity not rhetoric of repeated promises.