NAWOJ Adamawa Advocates Passage of Special Seats Bill
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Adamawa Chapter, has called for the urgent passage of the Special Seats Bill (HB.1349) to enhance women’s representation in governance.
The branch Chairperson, Ms Felicia Dauda, made the call on Monday during a press conference in Yola.
Dauda said the association joined the nationwide advocacy for the bill because it is critical to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and addressing gender imbalance in political representation.
She noted that female representation in the 10th National Assembly remains low, with only 21 women out of 469 members. According to her, the Senate has four women out of 109 members, while the House of Representatives has 17 out of 360, representing about 4.2 per cent overall.
“At the state level, women constitute about 5.5 per cent of State Assembly members nationwide, while 13 states have no female lawmakers at all,” she said.
The chairperson added that the situation in Adamawa State reflects the national trend, noting that the state’s federal legislative seats, comprising three senators and eight House of Representatives members, are all occupied by men.
She further stated that the 25-member Adamawa State House of Assembly has only one female lawmaker, representing roughly four per cent of the legislature.
Dauda described the low representation as a governance challenge, stressing that women, who make up nearly half of the country’s population, play key roles in voting, economic activities and community development.
“Excluding women from decision-making spaces results in incomplete policy outcomes, weakened democratic processes and slower development.
“The Special Seats Bill (HB.1349) is a structural bridge to equity. It does not ask for favours but seeks a constitutional correction to an imbalance,” she said.
She recalled that similar proposals failed during the 9th National Assembly and urged stakeholders not to allow a repeat.
Dauda called on members of the National Assembly from Adamawa to support and vote for the bill and urged the Adamawa State House of Assembly to endorse the constitutional amendment when transmitted for state ratification.
The NAWOJ chairperson also appealed to the media to amplify advocacy efforts for women’s inclusion in governance.
She expressed optimism that improved representation would inspire more women to participate actively in leadership and governance.
