The Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Chike Olemgbe, has pledged to support a bill that seeks to reserve three additional seats for women in the state legislature.
Olemgbe gave the assurance on Monday when the Imo State chapter of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) visited the Assembly to seek lawmakers’ support for the proposal.
He said the House would give the bill favourable consideration if lawmakers introduce it during the life of the 10th Assembly. He added that women deserve more opportunities to contribute to the state’s development.
The Speaker also noted that Governor Hope Uzodimma supported the emergence of four female All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates who may join the 11th Assembly.
Former lawmaker Uju Onwudiwe said the proposal would create one additional seat for women in each of Imo State’s three senatorial districts, increasing the number of lawmakers from 27 to 30.
She stressed that the bill would not take seats from men but would expand women’s participation in politics and decision-making.
Onwudiwe urged lawmakers to support the bill when it comes before the House.
Mrs. Ogechi Ikeh, who represented the National President of NILOWV, Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, also appealed to the Assembly to back the proposal.
She said the Reserved Seats for Women Bill would give more qualified women the opportunity to participate in governance and strengthen inclusive representation.
