The National Assembly has rejected a constitutional bill
seeking to create special seats for women in the federal legislative arm of
government.
The bill failed after both chambers of the national assembly
voted on it on Tuesday.
It is entitled ‘Bill For an Act to alter the provisions of
the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for
special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly; and for
related matters.’
While the house voted 81-208 to throw the bill out, the
senate had a 30-58 vote.
The bill failed to get the lawmakers’ nod despite enjoying
the backing of Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, and Dolapo
Osinbajo, wife of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
The First Lady had last week attended plenary alongside
Pauline Tallen, minister of women affairs, when the report on the legislation
was considered. Dolapo Osinbajo was also present as the senate began voting on
constitution amendments.
Speaking at the time, Senate President Ahmad Lawan had said:
“The First Lady has been consistent in supporting gender inclusivity, we are
all in support of gender sensitivity. In this senate, we have only two groups,
the female senators and ‘he for shes’.
“This is a report on
the constitution review and the presence of the First Lady is to show her
support for one of the bills on affirmative action for more female
parliamentarians in both chambers, the senate and the house and the state
legislatures.
“Your Excellency, I want to encourage you to continue with
your advocacy.”
Both chambers of the national assembly voted on 68
constitutional bills on Tuesday.
The lawmakers used electronic voting and not the voice-vote
method employed for the confirmation of nominees and the passing of bills and
motions.
The senate president said only bills that are passed in both chambers will be sent to the state houses of assembly.
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