By Mikky Attah -Abuja
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen has called on relevant stakeholders to work towards the passage of the gender-based bills in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, saying the move is time-sensitive and pragmatic.
Addressing the stakeholders at the Town Hall and Strategic Roundtable on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill in Abuja on Wednesday, the Speaker noted that the event was “to listen, to learn, and to lead.”
While noting that the town hall/strategic roundtable was not merely a routine event on our calendar, Speaker Abbas stated that it was “a deliberate moment of clarity, candour, and collective resolve,” stressing that it directly aligns with Agenda 6 of the 10th House Legislative Agenda on Inclusion and Open Parliament.
He explained that Agenda 6 is challenging the House to broaden representation, enhance transparency, and ensure that every Nigerian can see and hear themselves in the nation’s legislature.
The Speaker said: “As you are all aware, the statistics on women’s underrepresentation are dismal. That is why the current proposals before the National Assembly on greater women’s inclusion are both urgent and pragmatic.
"There are several related bills before the National Assembly, and it is important that we understand their precise content. HB 1189, HB 1349, and HB 1421 each propose, in addition to the current three senators from each state and one senator from the Federal Capital Territory, one additional senator for each state and for the FCT who shall be a woman.
