A coordinated group of women advocates took to the streets of Ogun State on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, mounting pressure on federal lawmakers to support the passage of the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill.
The demonstrators marched across key locations, including constituency offices along Ejinrin Road in Odogbolu and Ajaka in Sagamu, where petitions were formally submitted to members of the House of Representatives, Femi Ogunbanwo and Adesola Ayoola Elegbeji.
Leading the protest, Mrs. Adekunle Funmi and Odusanya Deborah described the action as peaceful but urgent, stressing that the demand for gender inclusion in governance can no longer be ignored.
According to the group, the Special Seats for Women Bill is designed to address the longstanding imbalance in political representation by creating additional legislative seats exclusively for women at both national and state levels.
They argued that Nigeria’s democratic growth remains incomplete without deliberate policies to ensure women’s participation, noting that the proposed legislation aligns with international frameworks such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the African Union gender commitments, as well as the ECOWAS Gender Policy.
“The bill represents a necessary corrective step to address systemic exclusion and bring Nigeria in line with global democratic standards,” the petition read, urging lawmakers to act decisively.
The protesters specifically called on Ogunbanwo, who represents Ijebu Central Federal Constituency, and Elegbeji, representing Remo Federal Constituency, to not only support the bill but also mobilise their colleagues within the National Assembly for its passage.
They further suggested that lawmakers consider expedited legislative action, including an emergency sitting, to fast-track deliberations on the bill, which has failed in previous assemblies due to what stakeholders describe as weak political will.
Representatives of the lawmakers received the petitions on their behalf, with assurances that the demands would be conveyed appropriately. Mr. Atekoja stood in for Ogunbanwo, while Mr. Abiodun Shoneye received the petition for Elegbeji.
Despite the strong message delivered, the protest concluded peacefully, with organisers expressing cautious optimism that sustained advocacy would compel lawmakers to prioritise the bill.
Advocates insist that without structural reforms like the Special Seats Bill, women’s political participation in Nigeria will remain disproportionately low, limiting the inclusiveness and effectiveness of the country’s democratic system.
Leave a comment