Women Groups Storm Constituency Offices of Abia Reps, Demand Passage of Special Seats Bill for Women

Scores of women from various advocacy groups on Wednesday stormed the constituency offices of two federal lawmakers from Abia State, demanding increased representation for women in state and federal legislative houses through the immediate passage of the Special Seats Bill for Women.

The protesting women, drawn from organisations including the League of Women Voters, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), National Association of Muslim Women, and groups representing persons with disabilities, first visited the Umuahia office of Hon. Obi Aguocha, who represents the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency.

They later moved to Aba to register their demands at the constituency office of Hon. Mascot Ikwechegh, representing the Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency.

Carrying green leaves as a symbol of their peaceful advocacy, the women expressed strong displeasure over the delay by the National Assembly in passing the Special Seats Bill for Women.

Speaking on behalf of the groups, the Chairperson of FIDA in Abia State, Njideka Aniawonwa, urged the lawmakers to lend their full support to the bill, arguing that its passage would promote greater inclusivity and gender balance in governance.

“Women are grossly underrepresented in the affairs of governance despite constituting a large percentage of the population,” the women stated.

They maintained that the enactment of the Special Seats Bill would create additional seats specifically for women in legislative houses across all tiers of government, thereby addressing the current imbalance.

In Aba, the message was received by Mr. Sunny Amabo, who assured the women that he would convey their demands to Hon. Mascot Ikwechegh.