Delta Assembly supports special seats bill for women

The Delta Assembly has pledged support for the proposed legislation establishing special seats for women in the National and State Assemblies.

The pledge was made during a visit by the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), Delta State Chapter, to the Assembly in Asaba to seek support for the proposed Special Seats Bill.

Delta Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor, who was represented by the Deputy Leader of the House, Arthur Akpowowo, assured the delegation of the legislature’s support for the advocacy.

“The answer you want to hear is that we will support the special seats for women,” he said.

Akpowowo stressed the need to provide women with equal opportunities in governance, noting their important roles in society and development.

He added that the proposed special seats should promote complementarity rather than rivalry between male and female lawmakers.

Presenting the League’s position on behalf of its State Chairperson, Hon. Mrs. Faith Majemite, the State Vice Chairperson, Princess Christina Uyoyou Ekokoruwe, said NILOWV was a non-partisan, non-religious, non-tribal and non-profit grassroots civic organisation committed to the political and economic empowerment of Nigerian women.

She said the group was involved in civic education, political inclusion, economic empowerment, protection of women against violence in politics and social support for vulnerable women and girls.

Ekokoruwe said women remained significantly underrepresented in legislative and other governance positions despite their contributions to business, professional practice, community development and political mobilisation.

She urged the Assembly to lend its legislative support to the proposed Special Seats Bill, which seeks additional seats for women in the National and State Assemblies.