The League of Women Voters of Nigeria, and Nigeria Association of Women Journalists Gombe State chapter, have appealed to lawmakers to hasten the passage of a bill designed to promote inclusive governance across the country.
The appeal was made on Tuesday by the Chairperson of the group, Hadisa Maina-Sule, who led an advocacy delegation to the six federal constituencies in the state, seeking stronger female representation in political offices.
According to her, the visit was aimed at pressing legislators to act on the proposed legislation, which has yet to be passed.
She said, “We are here to visit our legislators in the six federal constituencies of the zone to submit our petitions on the need for inclusive governance, the bill has not been passed yet. We have been waiting as concerned we thought we can go through them to push it.”
Speaking on the group’s next steps, Maina-Sule added, “after submitting the petition we have to wait, if they do the right thing we will be included through reservations, inclusion especially seats for us be in governace from grassroots to federal level, we want to be part of them.”
She emphasised that increased female participation in governance would help address critical social issues.
“Women and children have the highest issues, as you know if we are in governance we will solve them,” she stated.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Abigail Kolo, said the advocacy was part of efforts to ensure the bill receives prompt attention at the National Assembly.
She said, “we are here to present our letters to our Lawmakers so that they can expedite actions towards passing the bill in the national assembly. Women deserve a chance because they have vital role to play in nation building. It’s only Women that know their problem including things like menstruation as not every man that can stand to do that.”
Another participant, Fatima Abdullahi, expressed confidence that the engagement would produce positive results.
She said, “we hope that with this push Women’s voice would be heard. We believe that we can stand by their promises of their words as it should be their honour.”
Responding, aides to some of the lawmakers assured the delegation that their petitions would be delivered.
An aide to the member representing Kaltungo/Shongom Federal Constituency, Paul Shehu-Obed, Joseph Bulus, said, “I will take it to him, am sure that he will act on it, we know how important women are.”
Similarly, Emmanuel Sulaiman, an aide to the lawmaker representing Yalmatu/Deba Federal Constituency, Inuwa Garba, said, “By God grace the letter will get the lawmaker before the end today.”
