In a statement issued yesterday and jointly signed by the Chairperson, Nkechinyere Oginyi, and the Secretary, Chinwe Imo-Eze Onwosi, the association aligned with NAWOJ’s national leadership and other state chapters in demanding immediate legislative action on the proposed law.
The group characterised the bill as a strategic institutional reform designed to address what it termed a longstanding democratic deficit; the systematic underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s legislative architecture.
“No democracy can truly thrive when half of its population remains marginalised in political leadership and decision-making processes,” the statement read.
NAWOJ argued that the Special Seats Bill is not an instrument of privilege or tokenism, but a deliberate constitutional intervention aimed at recalibrating Nigeria’s governance structure toward inclusivity, accountability, and balanced representation.
For decades, the association noted, Nigerian women have demonstrated leadership and professional excellence across sectors including law, academia, business, media, civil society, and public administration. Yet, this capacity has not translated into equitable political participation at the federal and state levels.
According to NAWOJ, the disparity undermines both representative democracy and policy responsiveness, particularly on issues affecting women, children, and vulnerable populations.
Drawing attention to the situation in Ebonyi State, the association described the state’s record on female political representation as deeply concerning.
It observed that since the return to democratic rule in 1999, Ebonyi has never produced a female senator.
Furthermore, the current composition of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly reflects what NAWOJ termed “structural marginalisation,” with only two women representing the state’s constituencies.
The group therefore demanded that Ebonyi State be allocated at least one special seat for a female senator under the proposed legislation, arguing that such a provision would guarantee a minimum threshold of representation at the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
NAWOJ Ebonyi appealed to Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members representing the state at the National Assembly to rise above partisan considerations and support the bill in its original intent without dilution or delay.
The association stressed that advancing women’s political inclusion should not be reduced to party politics but treated as a national imperative tied to democratic consolidation and sustainable development.
It also urged the Ebonyi State House of Assembly to publicly endorse the reform, describing subnational backing as critical to building national consensus around gender-focused constitutional amendments.
Beyond the legislature, NAWOJ called on political parties, civil society organisations, professional associations, traditional institutions, youth groups, and community leaders to lend visible and vocal support to the Special Seats Bill.
The association announced plans to deepen advocacy through strategic stakeholder engagements, sustained media campaigns, and public sensitisation initiatives aimed at fostering informed discourse around the bill.
It maintained that inclusive governance enhances transparency, strengthens accountability frameworks, and broadens the diversity of perspectives informing public policy.
Describing the current legislative window as pivotal, NAWOJ Ebonyi framed the Special Seats Bill as a defining test of Nigeria’s commitment to gender equity and constitutional democracy.
“Support for the Special Seats Bill is a vote for justice, inclusive governance, and a stronger, more representative federation,” the association stated.
The group reminded policymakers of the broader implications of their decision:
“Ebonyi women are watching. Nigeria is watching. History is watching.”
