South-West traditional rulers, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Friday in Abuja launched an unprecedented campaign to rally political momentum behind the Special Seats Bill, which is Nigeria’s boldest legislative attempt yet to correct entrenched gender imbalance in political representation.
The high-level meeting, convened by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in collaboration with leading Nigerian women’s coalitions, marked the strongest and most coordinated push so far to secure the bill’s passage.
The proposal seeks constitutionally backed additional seats for women in the Senate, House of Representatives and state assemblies.