Politics
IWD: PLAC Urges NASS To Revisit Gender Bills
Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) has called on the National Assembly to re-introduce the Bill to Provide for Special Seats for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly.
Executive Director PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, made the call in a statement as the Centre joined women in Nigeria and the rest of the world to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022.
Nwankwo said that the reintroduction of the bill should be with a view to passing same before the end of the 9th Assembly.
According to him, this year’s IWD celebration is themed #BreakTheBias#, adding that the theme is apt considering ongoing experiences of Nigerian women with gender bias in communities, workplaces, and decision-making spaces.
He said that ‘#BreakTheBias#’ is a clarion call to governments, institutions, individuals, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to take pro-active measures to achieve gender parity.
“The sub-theme for this year’s celebration – “gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” recognises and celebrates women and girls who are at the forefront of climate change adaptation and response; honours their leadership and contribution towards a sustainable future.
“PLAC joins in calling for an end to bias, prejudice and stereotypes that prevent women from achieving their potential and ascending to key decision-making structures.
“The recent decision of the National Assembly to reject the key Constitution amendment bill aimed at creating special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly, re-enforces the need to continue to press on the government.
“This is for it to take significant actions towards full participation and equal leadership opportunities for women at all levels of decision making in Nigeria.’’
Nwankwo said that with continued women exclusion from these structures, a sustainable future cannot be guaranteed for Nigeria and the world indeed.
He said that it was worthy to note that Nigeria was part of 196 countries that signed the Paris Accord in 2015 to address climate change.
He added that women worldwide and especially in Nigeria, were struggling for inclusion in high level decision making and governance spaces.
“At PLAC, we believe a sustainable future requires gender balance today.
“We therefore remain committed to women inclusion and gender equality and stand firm in our commitment to advocate for policies and reforms that would break the bias against women in political leadership positions,’’he said
Nwankwo said that PLAC commended and congratulated Nigerian women who have been resilient in the struggle to break the constitutional, political, social, religious, and cultural biases against them.
He called on men, husbands, fathers, and sons to join the movement to #BreakTheBias by projecting women in their communities, workplaces, in politics, the legislature and indeed every sector.
According to him, the country desired would only be actualised when people worked together to #BreakTheBias.
Mr Rhodes-Vivour expressed concern over the development, saying a dangerous precedent was being set.
He said: “What we witnessed at the House of Assembly represents a troubling pattern where might is increasingly valued over right. This forceful seizure of the legislative chambers undermines the very foundations of our democracy and sends a disturbing message about how power is wielded in our state.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour criticised the ruling party in Lagos, accusing it of systematically promoting thuggery and violence over ideas.
He argued that such actions have eroded public trust in governance and weakened democratic values that should preserve the rule of law.
He said: “For too long, Lagos politics has been defined by intimidation rather than inspiration, by coercion rather than conviction. The ruling party has consistently demonstrated a willingness to use force to have its way notwithstanding the popular will of the people.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour urged Lagosians to take the current crisis as a wake-up call ahead of future elections, saying voters should prioritise candidates who demonstrate character, competence and compassion regardless of party affiliation.
“The quality of our democracy depends entirely on the quality of individuals we elect to represent us. Lagosians deserve leaders who view public office as a sacred trust rather than a platform for personal aggrandizement”, he said.
In a statement, signed by its spokesman, Mr Chika Adiele, the group warned that the judiciary would be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.
They expressed shock over the verdict, warning that it could disrupt the peace and development efforts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the pan-Niger Delta Youths Empowerment Forum, under the leadership of Comrade Maobu Nangi Obu, has been drawn to the shocking verdict of the Supreme Court of Nigeria ordering seizure of Rivers State’s allocation. This is nothing short of economic sabotage against Rivers people.
“The apex Niger Delta youths body is dismayed by the infantile antics of anti-democratic forces whose stock in trade is brewing crisis in a bid to topple the people’s Governor. We firmly condemn this judgement as it is against the tenet of the constitution of Nigeria.
“It is an invitation to war and against equity, justice, and fair play. We equally condemn the order nullifying the local government election as reckless and vindictive.
“Unfortunately, the justices of the Supreme Court positioned themselves as a party to the suit rather than impartial arbiters of justice.”
They urged Nigerians to note that the principle of democracy is rooted in sound constitutional pronouncements with a view to establishing justice. “Therefore, any attempt by the enemies of Rivers people to seize power by judicial fiat will be resisted by the Niger Delta youths.
“We cannot be cowed, neither shall we lay in surrender at the altar of political manipulations of rascals. We reiterate boldly, once again, that anyone, no matter how highly placed, will face fierce resistance by the majority of Rivers people,” they said.
Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has appealed to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, to withdraw her suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking during a live television interview on Saturday, Senator Olujimi said she does not want women to “look emotionally unstable”.
On February 20, Senator Akpabio, the senate president, and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a heated debate during plenary over a change in seating arrangements.
On February 25, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
However, the Kogi senator filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Senator Akpabio over an alleged defamatory statement reportedly made by the senate president’s legislative aide.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan later alleged that her trouble in the senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Senator Akpabio.
Reacting to the development, Senator Olujimi said a senator cannot speak outside the assigned seat according to the senate rule.
The former lawmaker said the request of the Kogi senator that her senate probe proceedings should be broadcast live was a “little overboard.”
She added that the clash between the senate president and Akpoti-Uduaghan should not have been escalated, noting that the change in seating arrangements is a normal phenomenon in the red chamber.
The former senate minority leader expressed support for the probe of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “weighty” allegations against Senator Akpabio.
She said Senator Akpabio is someone who jokes a lot, adding that the senate president usually made fun of everything.
“I want to say that in the 8th and 9th senate, we never had anything like that (referring to the allegations), and Senator Akpabio was one of us.
“They treated us (female senators) with decorum. We did not have anything like that, and I have not heard anything of such from any other of the remaining senators.
“It is tough for me to be able to take that without proper investigation. There should be an investigation.
“He (Akpabio) jokes a lot. He is fond of making little fun out of everything. He loves to make everything light; when you do that, you become very vulnerable.
“I saw all that they (referring to male senators) went through as men when I was there. They were all victimised by people from outside. I had to rescue them all of the time.
“The court case, I want to appeal to her to take the case out of court. We don’t want women to look like they are emotionally unstable.
“We need to also be strong enough to face the men. Going to court against a presiding officer is not on. I know she is hurt, but she needs to handle it in a better way. I think that should get out of court as fast as possible”, Senator Olujimi said.