By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and Vice Chairman of the Forum of Deputy Speakers of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Lami Danladi Ogenyi, has renewed her call for the immediate passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill currently before the National Assembly.
She made the appeal during a meeting of Deputy Speakers, the presentation of the report of the joint committees on Constitution Review, and the celebration of the ECOWAS Parliament’s 25th anniversary in Abuja.
Ogenyi, who also serves as North Central Coordinator for the Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO) 2027, described the bill as a national imperative aimed at correcting long‑standing gender imbalances and ensuring that women are fully integrated into the political space, participating actively in all electoral processes.
According to her, the bill is not just another piece of legislation but a rallying point for inclusivity, democracy, and nation‑building. She stressed that women with political ambitions must be accorded equal opportunities to serve their country.
She urged members of the National Assembly to make history by giving the bill speedy consideration and passage, commending the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for anchoring and championing the cause of women in Nigerian politics.
“The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has single‑handedly come out with this bill for special seats for women to enhance their participation in politics, which has actually encouraged them. This must be commendable,” she said.
Ogenyi emphasized the need for more women in politics, reiterating her support for the 35 percent affirmative action for women. “We need more women in politics, and that is why we are advocating and pushing for the 35 percent affirmative action. This has to be implemented because we want more women in politics. If the law is passed and implemented, it would help many women who have ambitions to come into the political circle,” she added.
She lamented that many women remain hesitant to contest elective positions due to systemic barriers and male dominance. “Women are scared to come into the political circle even when they are willing to. They are scared about how men oppress them by not giving them space to vie for elective positions,” she stated.
The Benue lawmaker, who represents Ado State Constituency, insisted that passing the bill would bring Nigeria closer to international standards on gender inclusion and reflect its democratic values.
