By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has vowed to mobilise federal and state lawmakers to support the passage of the bill for special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the move is at boosting women’s political representation in the country.

Chairman of NGF, Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, made the pledge at the 6th Annual Summit of the forum on Thursday in Abuja.

NAN also reports that the theme of the summit was: “United for Change: Men and Women Ending Digital Violence Together.”

Abdulrazaq, who was represented by the Governor of Plateau, Caleb Mutfwang, said that NGF would mobilise their members at the 10th National Assembly to act on the HB 1349—the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.

“We are equally supportive of the initiative and campaign for women to have special seats in the Nigerian Parliament.

“We believe in it, and we are supporting it whole-heartedly. I want to assure you that the governors will mobilise their members in the national assembly to do the needful,” he said.

In her remarks, Chairperson of Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, called for action beyond parliamentary votes to achieve special seats for women in the parliament.

“We hear the debate for the special seat bill has been postponed again. The call is for more than just legislation. We want our political parties to engage with us and ensure that women are not targets in this process.

“We also have a personal responsibility to raise awareness and prevent digital violence. Studies show that one in five women in the UK face such abuse, but in Nigeria, the figure is as high as 63 per cent,” he said. (NAN)

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