By Esther Onyegbula

IN a renewed push to address gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political space, the League of Women Voters of Nigeria, NILOWV, Lagos Chapter, on Monday led a coalition of women’s groups on a peaceful advocacy march to the Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency Secretariat, demanding urgent legislative action on the Special Seats for Women Bill.

The protesters, who carried green leaves as a symbol of peace and dissatisfaction with the low representation of women in governance, submitted a formal petition to the lawmaker representing the constituency, Hon. Moshood Oshun, urging him to champion the bill at the National Assembly.

The march, which drew participation from several women advocacy groups, formed part of a coordinated nationwide campaign seeking increased legislative representation for women across the country.

Speaking during the rally, NILOWV Lagos Programmes Officer, Blessing Gem, said the advocacy was aimed at amplifying the voices of Nigerian women who have remained underrepresented in elective and appointive positions.

She stressed that the Special Seats Bill, if passed, would provide a structured pathway to improve women’s participation in governance and decision-making processes.
According to her, “This peaceful march is part of a broader national movement to ensure that women are given equitable representation in governance. The Special Seats Bill is critical to correcting years of imbalance.”

Also lending her voice, the State Chairperson of NILOWV Lagos Chapter, Hon. Adetola Adunni Abubakar, expressed optimism that sustained engagement with lawmakers would yield positive results.

She noted that the organisation, alongside its partners, would continue advocacy across constituencies in Lagos State until the bill receives the required legislative backing.

Similarly, Vice Chairperson of the chapter, Lady Lauretta Asemota, described the initiative as a necessary step towards inclusive governance, urging political leaders to support policies that promote gender equality.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful advocacy, insisting that the demand for special seats for women reflects a growing national consensus on the need for inclusive representation.

The Special Seats for Women Bill seeks to create additional legislative seats exclusively for women as a temporary measure to bridge the gender gap in Nigeria’s political landscape.