At APC convention, Tinubu pledges special seats for women

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu on Friday assured Nigerian women of decisive action on gender-sensitive policies, spotlighting the clamour for special seats in the National Assembly during the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention at Eagle Square.

Addressing party faithful, Tinubu highlighted women’s essential role in Nigeria’s growth and stability. “To the women of Nigeria and our party, I say your role in our glory and our growth and stability is essential,” he declared.

He revealed an exchange with his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, shortly before mounting the podium to speak. She questioned the absence of women moving motions at the event.

“Just a few minutes ago, my wife asked me one strange question: Whether there are no women to move motions. Why is it that there are only men moving motions? What about the special place for women? I assured her we will move decisively on that,” Tinubu said.

The president’s commitment directly ties into the push for a constitutional amendment bill proposing 30% special seats for women in legislative houses—a measure women’s groups and advocates have championed for years to bridge Nigeria’s stark gender imbalance in politics. Currently, women hold fewer than 5% of seats in the National Assembly.

This pledge builds on the First Lady’s earlier advocacy. In February 2025, she hosted female lawmakers at the Presidential Villa, urging the swift passage of the special seats bill. During the closed-door meeting, she appealed to the women’s caucus to rally cross-party support, emphasising that gender equity strengthens national democracy. The bill, which passed second reading in the House in 2022 but stalled, has regained momentum amid international pressure from forums such as the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

Tinubu reiterated the APC’s gender sensitivity: “It’s a promise that we are very gender sensitive.”

Party women leaders hailed the remarks as a “game-changer”, vowing to mobilise for the bill’s revival when the National Assembly reconvenes.