PLAC, Media, CSOs Hold Meeting, Renew Call on National Assembly to Pass Special Seats Bill for Women.
By Raymond Enoch
In a renewed national drive for gender inclusion, the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), in collaboration with media professionals and civil society organisations, has intensified efforts to ensure the passage of the Special Seats Bill for Women before the close of 2025.
At a high-level meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, and supported by the European Union (EU), stakeholders mapped out new strategies for sustained advocacy and communication to ensure the 10th National Assembly delivers on the bill.
Executive Director of PLAC, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, praised participants for their steadfast commitment, describing the bill as a defining test for Nigeria’s democracy. “We are here to perfect strategies that will ensure the 10th National Assembly passes the Special Seats Bill into law. This time, we must send out well-structured messages that resonate with legislators and the public,” he said, stressing the importance of accuracy and clarity in advocacy.
Reflecting on the previous Assembly’s failure to pass the bill, Nwankwo underscored the need for strategic communication and targeted legislative engagement.
Veteran journalist and PLAC Board Member, Mr. Gbenga Aruleba, emphasized that the bill’s passage would enhance Nigeria’s image globally and strengthen democratic values. “This bill will go down in history as one of the most transformative decisions of the 10th Assembly,” he declared. “It is not just for women; it is for democracy itself.”
Hon. Akin Rotimi, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, revealed that voting on the constitutional review process — including the Special Seats Bill — would occur before December 2025. He encouraged advocates to communicate persuasively and pledged support from lawmakers in Ekiti State. “I can assure you that all lawmakers from Ekiti will support the bill,” he affirmed.
National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, described the bill as both a moral and political benchmark for Nigeria’s democratic journey. “If we fail to get it right this time, it will not just be a missed opportunity — it will be a bad omen for our democracy,” she warned.
Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Achike Chude, National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), urged creative advocacy approaches, including engaging legislators’ spouses to build broader support. “This is not just about women; it’s about placing Nigeria in a positive light globally,” he stated.
The Special Seats Bill proposes additional legislative seats — one per state and the Federal Capital Territory in both chambers of the National Assembly and in state assemblies — to guarantee women’s representation. Advocates argue that with only four women currently serving in the 109-member Senate, Nigeria’s democracy remains incomplete without equitable participation.
Participants at the Abuja meeting unanimously endorsed PLAC’s national advocacy framework, which includes mass media campaigns, town hall sessions, and outreach to political parties, religious and traditional institutions, and youth groups.
As the 10th Assembly’s legislative calendar tightens, stakeholders have issued a unified call: passing the Special Seats Bill is not a concession to women, but a bold stride toward a fairer, more inclusive, and representative Nigeria.
