IPAC demands urgent passage of Bill for 74 reserved seats for Women in National Assembly

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has renewed its call for the immediate passage of a bill that would reserve 74 constitutionally guaranteed seats for women in Nigeria’s National Assembly.

The move is aimed at improving female participation in politics ahead of the 2027 general elections and fostering a more inclusive democratic system.

The call was made at a two-day capacity-building conference for female political leaders in Abuja on Wednesday, themed ‘Breaking the Barriers and Shaping Positive Attitudes Towards Inclusive Politics in Nigeria.’ The event was organised by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in partnership with the IPAC Directorate of Women Affairs.

Speaking at the event, IPAC National Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to intensified advocacy with both the National Assembly and the Presidency to ensure the bill becomes law. According to him, “IPAC reiterates its call for the passage of the bill on the reservation of special seats for women in parliament, currently pending in the National Assembly. The bill seeks to create 74 seats for women to encourage greater female participation in politics.”

To strengthen its commitment to gender inclusivity, IPAC announced the establishment of three dedicated directorates for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, aimed at amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups in political decision-making.

Dr. Dantalle stressed that meaningful female involvement in politics is vital for achieving equality, inclusivity, and national development. He said IPAC would continue to tackle systemic barriers like cultural stereotypes, economic disadvantages, and unequal access to education, which have long hindered women’s political ambitions.

Additionally, the council called for the urgent passage of the Electoral Offences Commission bill, which it said was critical in curbing electoral malpractice and safeguarding Nigeria’s electoral integrity. Dantalle also proposed that Nigeria adopt a single-day general election model, in line with practices in the United States, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, to cut costs and minimise logistical challenges.

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, also spoke at the conference, urging political parties to amend their constitutions to mandate the allocation of at least 50 per cent of both elective and appointive positions to women ahead of the 2027 elections. She recommended adopting the ‘Zebra Policy,’ which alternates male and female candidates in party nominations to guarantee gender balance.

Tallen appealed to President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to use their influence in championing the cause of women in Nigerian politics. “President Bola Tinubu should lead the charge for gender inclusion. Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu should use her position to champion the mainstreaming of women in Nigerian politics,” she said.

She expressed concern over Nigeria’s poor global standing in female political representation, where women hold just 4.2 per cent of National Assembly seats, far behind countries like Rwanda, where women occupy 64 per cent of parliamentary positions. “As the Giant of Africa, Nigeria must take the lead in gender mainstreaming and dismantling gender bias in politics,” Tallen declared.

In his remarks, NIPSS Director-General, Professor Ayo Omotayo, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to providing a neutral platform for national dialogue and underscored the importance of female political participation in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. He warned that poor representation undermines both equity and effective governance.

Other speakers at the event echoed a collective appeal for decisive action in promoting gender-inclusive politics, breaking down existing barriers, and strengthening Nigeria’s democracy through broader female involvement in governance.