By Nikky Attah -Abuja
The Nigeria House of Representatives is set to deliberate on a constitutional amendment proposing special reserved seats for women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The proposal, which includes 52 additional seats for women and a percentage allocation for PWDs, will take center stage, during the second Open Week of the House.
Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, announced the initiative as part of a broader effort to deepen public engagement and strengthen democratic institutions. The Open Week, which runs from July 8 to 10, features thematic sessions and interactive forums on key national issues.
According to Speaker Abbas, the session will host a dialogue on the Special Seat Bill focused on enhancing women’s political representation. The day will also include a forum examining the constitutional role of traditional rulers and a special session on the economy and citizen participation.
“A central element of our inclusive governance agenda is the proposal to constitutionally guarantee reserved seats for women and persons with disabilities.
“The draft amendment sets aside 10 percent of seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives for women, distributed by state to ensure regional equity, he stated
Additionally, the proposed seats for women would be filled through direct elections conducted on separate ballots, with staggered terms designed to promote continuity and mentorship.
Also, five percent of seats would be allocated to persons with disabilities, with candidates nominated by accredited disability organizations.
If adopted, the move would mark a historic step toward greater representation of marginalized groups in Nigeria’s political landscape.
