APGA Backs Reserved Seats Bill, Calls for Greater Women’s Participation in Politics

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has thrown its weight behind the Reserved Seats Bill currently before the National Assembly, saying the present legislation will help address the low representation of women in Nigeria’s political leadership.

The party made the call on Tuesday during its maiden National Women’s Summit in Abuja, where the APGA National Women Leader, Mrs. Elizabeth Nwokeocha, urged lawmakers to pass the bill and appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to it when approved.

Speaking at the summit, themed “Advancing Women’s Inclusion in Politics and Governance: Addressing Barriers to Women’s Participation and Representation,” Nwokeocha described the gathering as more than a conference, saying it was a call for action towards building a more inclusive political system.

She lamented that women currently occupy less than five per cent of seats in Nigeria’s legislatures, warning that their continued exclusion from governance weakens democracy and limits national development.

“We are not just failing ourselves when we do not participate; we are failing our children and our communities who are in dire need of equitable perspectives and inclusive governance,” she said.

Nwokeocha also expressed concern over the outcome of the recently concluded party primaries, noting that fewer women emerged as candidates compared to the last election cycle.

She questioned the country’s commitment to gender inclusion, asking, “Are we moving forward or going backwards?”

The APGA women leader urged women across political parties to build stronger networks and intensify grassroots mobilisation, stressing that political participation begins at the community level.

She also encouraged young women to take an active interest in politics, insisting that leadership should not be left to men alone.

“Politics is not a dirty game when principled and visionary women participate. What you need are good examples of true leadership and collaboration,” she said.

Calling for higher support, Nwokeocha appealed to development partners, civil society organisations and women in leadership positions to work closely with women leaders across political parties to improve political participation and representation.

She said APGA’s decision to organise a non-partisan summit demonstrated that political parties could play a leading role in promoting political literacy and expanding opportunities for women.

Reaffirming the party’s support for the Reserved Seats Bill, she appealed to members of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to vote in its favour.

“APGA therefore uses this inaugural non-partisan Women’s Summit to lend its voice and pledge its full support to the Reserved Seats Bill currently before the National Assembly,” she said.

She also appealed to President Tinubu to sign the bill into law once it is passed.

Nwokeocha ended her address by urging leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take practical steps that would guarantee greater inclusion of women in governance.

“History will not judge us by what we said, but by what we did. Because when women rise, Nigeria rises. When women lead, Nigeria leads,” she concluded.