Gender Bills: Deputy Speaker's Aide Steps Up Stakeholder Consultation in S/East

In a determined effort to rally support for gender bills aimed at securing special parliamentary seats for women, Hon. Mike Ukoha, PhD, the Special Assistant on State Legislative Affairs to the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives, has intensified consultations with key Southeast legislative stakeholders. Over the weekend, Ukoha paid a courtesy visit to Rt. Hon. Uche Callistus Ugwu, Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, in a strategic move to gather legislative backing ahead of the upcoming constitutional amendments vote.

During his visit, Ukoha highlighted the importance of the gender bills and the role of state assemblies in advancing gender inclusion. He emphasized that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from women's increased involvement in governance, urging state assembly members to support the constitutional review process that would grant women dedicated seats in the national parliament. "Our goal is to ensure women are not just represented but actively participate in Nigeria's decision-making,ÔÇØ Ukoha said, stressing the need for the Southeast's full legislative support.

This visit to Enugu's Speaker is part of a broader Southeast-focused consultation series spearheaded by Ukoha to build regional momentum for the bills. These high-level meetings are also closely linked to the ongoing legislative review led by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who chairs the House's Constitution Review Committee and sponsors the gender-focused proposals.

In response, Speaker Ugwu, who also serves as the South-East Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Speakers, expressed gratitude for the visit and recognized the necessity of constitutional reforms that address diverse societal needs. He noted the critical role of political inclusiveness in national development and pledged his support, promising to rally fellow Southeast speakers in backing the initiative.

As the consultation drive continues, Ukoha plans to expand this dialogue to other regions, securing a solid foundation of support among state assemblies nationwide. The push for these gender bills marks a significant move toward achieving gender parity and inclusivity in Nigeria's political landscape, with the Southeast taking the lead in these groundbreaking discussions.