Group advocates support for passage of bill for reserved seats for women in Imo Assembly

A group known as League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) Imo State chapter has advocated for support for the passage of the bill for the reserved seats for women in the Imo State House of Assembly.

Speaking when the organization held meeting with House of Assembly members on One-Day State Level Electoral College on Thursday, July 30 2026 at the office of the Speaker, a former lawmaker, Hon. Mrs. Uju Onwudiwe noted that there’s need to reserve three seats for women drawn across the three senatorial districts of Imo State.

She noted that the campaign is not to displace any one nor push men away. “We cannot achieve anything as women without the support of the men. The women need a space to discuss on issues concerning them”.

According to Onwudiwe, “This bill which is the first in the constitution amendment town hall meeting is aimed at promoting participation of women in the political decision making in the state. The bill talks about all-inclusiveness”.

“The special seats offers three extra seats for the House of Assembly, so that instead of having 27 lawmakers, Imo Assembly will now have 30 member-house. It will go through a electoral college model that brings stakeholders together for decision-making”. She urged the Imo House of Assembly to positively legislate on the bill when it comes into the order paper.

In her contribution, Mrs. Ogechi Ikeh, the team lead representing the NILOWV president, Mrs Irene Awunah-Ikyegh urged the Speaker and members of Imo House of Assembly to support the special seats bill to enable women participate actively in the decision-making process that affect their lives and livelihood. “There’s need to bring women with capacity, integrity and competence into the corridors of power for contributions on matters that concern them and to bring a balance to national growth.

In his words of commitment, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe lauded the group for her strategic advocacy for the reservation of special seats for women. He assured the delegation that if the bill comes in the 10th House during their tenure, it will receive positive legislative attention because the women need to be supported to contribute their quota in the development of the state.

He reminded the group that Governor Hope Uzodimma has supported the emergence of four All Progressives Congress women who may be joining the Assembly in the 11th House.

“It will be recalled that the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (House Bill 1349) is a proposed constitutional amendment in Nigeria designed to address the severe underrepresentation of women in legislative bodies by creating additional, exclusive seats for female candidates”.

“The Reserved Seats for Women campaign aims to mobilize support and drive awareness for the passage of the “Reserved Seats for Women” Bill, an initiative designed to improve women’s representation in Nigeria’s National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly”.

The highlight of the visit was the signing of the pledge form that commits and supports the collaboration of the members of the house and their Local government chairmen according to the electoral college model on the passage of the bill by the approval of the Speaker.