POLITICS

Public Hearing: South East Senators support 182 reserved seats for women

Maureen Ikpeama6 months ago6 months ago86912 mins

Roles for traditional rulers, state police,others

Nigerian Senators from the South East geo-political zone have assured support for the Nigerian women’s agitation for inclusiveness on governance under the ” Reserved seats for women Bill” movement , saying that such support for the women will bring about development in the country.

They gave the assurance on Friday during the first day of a 2-Day Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, holding at the International Conference Centre,Enugu.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on the 1999 Constitution Amendment and Deputy Whip, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, Senator representing Enugu West senatorial zone, Osita Ngwu, Senator Osita Izunaso and others gave their support after the presentation on “Reserved seats for women” made by selected women .

Consultants to the 1999 Constitution Amendment Committee, Prof. Joy Ezeilo (SAN) and Prof Blessing Nwagba, as well as the South East Coordinator of Reserved seats for women Bill, Adaora’ Onyechere who made presentations on Reserved Seats for Women Bill,, said women were asking for the alteration of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria to have reserved seats at the legislature.

They said in their separate speeches that , ” it is an international best practice which provides for seats for only women .

“We are not asking for asking sake. We are asking for additional seats, alteration of Sections 48, 49, 91 and others to create additional seats for women , one seat at the senate, two seats at House of Representatives, three seats at the States House of Assembly , giving a total of 182 reserved seats for women out of 1,139 seats in the legislature”.

Pix: Ugo Asibelua ,SP

Pix: : SSG ,Prof. Onyia

Explaining further, the South East Coordinator of Reserved Seats for Women Bill, Adaora’ Onyechere said the ” bill is an emergency bill’ and that it seeks to look at community engagement.

Commending the senators for their support for the bill, she said, “So, the bill is an emergency bill. You are leaving a legacy for those unremembered. This is the time and we want to say thank you”, she said.

Declaring the event open, the Governor of Enugu state , Dr. Peter Mbah said the constitutional review should be inclusive. He called for rotational positions,( rotational presidency, governorship ,legislative positions, creation of additional state in the South East, State police and Constitutional roles for traditional rulers among others.

Participants

Represented by the Secretary to the Statement Government,Prof Chidiebere Onyia, Governor Mbah said there were issues in the 1999 constitution which was a product of military regime. He explained that there were some sections of the Constitution that did not answer the needs of the people and the review of the Constitution will correct the structural imbalance which is not a reflection of the people s will..

He urged the Committee to ensure financial independence of Local governments, additional seats for Women to ensure a balance He also called for institutionalisation of the Local Government Council, a constitution that will refuse the removal of elected governors from the office.

The Governor urged participants to participate fully, noting that the South East was ready to contribute to the review.

In a goodwill message, the Governor of Ebonyi state , Francis Nwifuru who was represented by the Speaker, Ebonyi state House of Assembly ,RT. Hon. Moses Ije said the South East needs an additional State. He called for inclusiveness and reserved seats for women, disclosing that Ebonyi state House of Assembly had set the bill for inclusiveness of women in governance.

In his remarks, the speaker of Enugu state House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Uche Ugwu said the state Assembly was aligning with the position of the Enugu state Government.” We support the creation of additional state, state police, rotational presidency, inclusiveness.”, Ugwu said.

Pix: Some NAWOJ members

In their respective presentations, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe( Abia state) called for creation of Aba state, former minister of Information and past President -General ,Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Sir Nnia Nwodo called for creation of Adada state from Enugu North senatorial zone,.

Dr. Christopher Okoba from Delta state called for creation of Anioma state( the Igbo speaking )area of Delta state. He presented a very pathetic story on how the people of Anioma were killed during the Nigerian Civil war because they were of Igbo origin.

Okoba said they were marginalised in Delta state and the people of Anioma in Delta North which has 9 Local Government Areas in Delta state want to go. They want to join their brothers ( the Igbo people) and leave Delta state ,where they were marginalized because they speak Igbo.

According to him, Anioma area is blessed with both human and natural resources. He urged the senate to support their request and create Anioma state. The nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Anioma area Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North East, Ika South, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, and Ukwuani.

A joint group from Anambra and Imo states called for creation of Anim.state from Ihala area of Anambra state and Orlu area of Imo state..

In his presentation, Comrade Theophilus Nweke, chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers( NUT) Enugu state branch, called for funding of Primary education, and removing the funding from the Local Government Authority.

Speaking with newsmen, Senior Special Assistant to Senator Ned Nwoko( Delta state)HC. Ugo Asibelua said, they clamoured for creation of Anioma state because of marginalisation they got from none Igbo people in the state, adding that they were marginalized because they were Igbo people. He maintained that they wanted to leave Delta state and join their brothers in the south East geo-political political.

According to him, Anioma area has 9 Local Government areas, covering 6,300 square kilometres. He added that the area is rich in oil and gas, other natural resources, an arid land for agriculture as well as manpower among other potentials .

The Two- Day public hearing which was held simultaneously in the six geo-political zones of the country will end on Saturday.

It attracted traditional rulers, members of the Civil Society Organisations, the Organized Labour, Media,None- Governmental Organisations Persons Living with Disabilities among others.

Speaking with Newsmen , the Chairperson of the National Association of Women Journalists( NAWOJ) Enugu state chapter, Comrade Ngozi Ngene said ,”Women’s participation in decision-making is essential for true development, justice, and democracy.

“Without their voices at the table, governments risk being ineffective and unfair. Reserved seats serve as a vital tool to address the imbalance,” she said..

Ngene called on policymakers, traditional leaders, religious authorities, and government officials to support the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.

“Together, we can advance justice, strengthen democracy, and foster inclusive development ‘Let’s unite to build a future where everyone’s voice counts’., Ngene said

She thanked the senators, Enugu state government and the people of the South East for supporting Reserved Seats for Women bill movement.

Maureen Ikpeama