As constitution review exercise hastens up at both chambers of the National Assembly, the United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliament Association has thrown its weight behind bill seeking for special seats for women at the National and State Houses of Assembly .
Need for passage of the bill for the required constitution amendment on women inclusiveness in governance, was made by Support for the bill, was made by some members of UK Parliament during courtesy visit on the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio in Abuja on Monday.
Akelicious reports that the leader of the delegation, Kate Ofunne Osamor, who pushed for consideration and passage of the bill, said the UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliament is very interested in the legislative proposal aimed at better women inclusiveness in governance .
.
She said the purpose of the visit was to call for the support of National Assembly for the special seats for women in parliament by ensuring that bills, already sponsored for that, are considered and passed.
In his response , the President of the Senate , said the bill would be looked into and given required consideration. He said the 10th National Assembly, have legislated with the steel of conviction and have labored tirelessly to ensure that democracy is not a mere abstraction, but a living, breathing force that transforms lives.
Akpabio said Inclusive Governance is part of the legislative agenda and in the spirit of unity, the National Assembly has embraced the rich tapestry of the nation’s diversity.
The Bill seeking for special seats for women in parliament as sponsored in the 9th and re – sponsored in the 10th National Assembly, seeks for amendment of section 77( 1) and 117( 1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria .
It specifically seeks to establish 37 new seats in the Senate, one for each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT.) The House of Representatives will add 74 seats, two for each state and the FCT just as it envisions the creation of 108 additional seats across State Houses of Assembly nationwide,
