Nigerian Women Leaders Demand Immediate Passage Of Reserved Seats Bill

The Forum of National Women Leaders of Political Parties in Nigeria, in collaboration with Youth Leaders of Political Parties, has called for the immediate passage of the ‘Reserved Seats for Women Bill’ currently before the National Assembly.

The appeal was made by the President of the Forum, Dr. Mrs. Amina Darasimi Bryhm during a press briefing after a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

Bryhm expressed the women’s commitment to securing legislative seats for women, emphasising that the bill is a national imperative aimed at correcting gender imbalances and enhancing inclusive governance.

“We believe that the time has come for Nigeria to take a bold step forward by institutionalizing women’s representation in elective offices through this historic Bill. Political parties are the gateway to leadership and governance, and as the first custodians of political participation, we are duty-bound to lead the campaign for equitable representation,” she said.

The president stressed that empowering women empowers families, strengthens communities, and builds a better Nigeria for all.

“The Reserve Seats for Women Bill is not just a women’s issue — it is a national imperative. It seeks to correct long-standing gender imbalances and ensure that women, who form the backbone of our democracy, are fully represented in governance,” she said.

The Forum pledged to intensify sensitization within political parties, strengthen collaboration between male and female politicians, and mobilize women organizations, youth groups, traditional rulers, faith leaders, civil society, and the media to support the bill’s passage.

” We call on the leadership and members of the National Assembly to give this Bill expeditious passage. The time for promises is over — the time for action is now! This is an opportunity for our lawmakers to make history by enacting legislation that will transform Nigeria’s political landscape for generations to come,” she said.

The Forum also appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Executive Arm of Government to support and assent to the bill once passed.

The women leaders further stated that it will identify and support competent female candidates from various political parties to contest for the special seats, emphasising capacity, integrity, and commitment to representation.

The Forum declared that the Reserved Seats for Women Bill must be passed now, positioning it as a turning point for women’s full participation in governance and a step towards a more inclusive Nigeria.

“We call on all Nigerians — lawmakers, political leaders, traditional institutions, civil society, and the general public — to join hands with us in making history. Let this Bill become the turning point for women’s full participation in governance and the dawn of a more inclusive Nigeria,” she said.

Addressing concerns about past experiences, particularly regarding Sarah Jibril whose ambition to get a presidential ticket was not successful, Bryhm clarified that Jibril’s actions were about breaking barriers and encouraging women’s participation in politics, dispelling notions that women do not support fellow women candidates.

She emphasised the Forum’s intentional approach to identifying and promoting capable women leaders from the 19 registered political parties.

“So she summoned the courage to break the chains. I would call it a situation of somebody coming out to break the chains. To tell other women that it is possible, you can come out,” she said.