By Ogalla Daniel
The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar has advocated for women inclusion in governance at all levels, assuring support for the push for the creation of exclusive additional legislative positions for women at both federal and state levels.
He stated this in an address during a meeting with the leadership of the state chapter of the Nigerian League of Women Voters (NILOWV).
The meeting is part of the ongoing efforts of the league to promote advocacy for special seats for women both at the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Yabagi Mohammed noted that the Speaker was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba.
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The Chairperson of the State Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria, Aisha Isa had earlier proposed an electoral college system for filling the proposed special seats for women at both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, describing the move as a step toward improving women’s political representation in Nigeria.
The proposal was presented alongside the group’s advocacy for greater investment in girls’ education and efforts to end child molestation and early marriage.
Under the proposed model presented by the chairperson, women occupying the additional special seats would not emerge through the general election. Instead, political parties would nominate female candidates, while members of an electoral college would elect successful candidates in an indirect election to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
According to the proposal, the electoral college would comprise all elected Local Government chairmen and vice chairmen in a state, councillors, members of the State House of Assembly, members of the House of Representatives from the state, and senators representing the state.
In Kogi State, the electoral college would include the chairmen and vice chairmen of the state’s 21 Local Government Areas, councillors, 25 members of the State House of Assembly, nine members of the House of Representatives and three senators.
NILOWV said the proposed special seats would complement existing legislative seats and would not prevent women from contesting regular elective positions.
The organisation argued that electoral reform has become more urgent following the outcome of recent party primaries, which saw many qualified female aspirants fail to secure party tickets, including women who were already serving in legislative positions.
Beyond political participation, the group reaffirmed its commitment to promoting girls’ education across Kogi State. It said the initiative aims to prevent child molestation and early marriage by raising public awareness, mobilising community support and creating a safe environment for girls to pursue their education.
NILOWV congratulated women across Kogi State and Nigeria for sustaining the campaign for greater inclusion in politics, expressing optimism that the struggle for equal representation would yield lasting results.
The organisation urged women to remain united in advancing political participation and national development.
