After about one week of sustained pressures Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), human rights activists and the media, Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Tuesday agreed to reconsider three of the gender bills it earlier rejected.
Currently, some women are protesting in front of the National Assembly, calling on the lawmakers to reconsider bills affecting women.
On March 1, the lawmakers voted against five gender bills among which are the bills to provide special seats for women in the national and State Houses of Assembly; to provide reserve quota for women on appointments; expand the scope of citizenship by registration; provide for affirmative action for women in political party administration; and provide criteria for qualification to become an indigene of a state in Nigeria.
But at plenary on Tuesday, the House deliberated on the 68 Bills as part of the ongoing Constitutional amendment and decided to reconsider “Expansion of the Scope of Citizenship by Registration”; “Affirmative Action for Women in Political Party Administration” and “Qualification to become an Indigene of a State in Nigeria.”
Announcing the decision, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, said, the House decided to reconsider the Bills in order to give women the needed encouragement to participate in the affairs of the nation.
He said the decision earlier taken on the Bills would be rescinded and the Bill recommitted into the next consideration of Bills coming up soon.
The Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business, Abubakar Hassan Fulata (APC, Jigawa) rose for the suspension of the House relevant rules.
Fulata said the House had suspended its relevant rules to readmit the Bills for reconsideration and passage.
But the Speaker said although the decision may be unusual as being argued, the House was empowered by the Constitution to adjust its rules when necessary.
He added that, they may also go for harmonisation with the Senate.
