The Nigerian National Assembly on Monday pledged to consider the Special Seats Bill currently before it, following sustained advocacy by Nigerian women groups.

Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, who represents Ekiti North, gave the assurance while addressing protesting women at the entrance of the National Assembly Complex.

Rotimi said the proposed legislation was gathering momentum, noting that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu had endorsed the constitutional amendment promoting women’s inclusion.

The Spokesman therefore disclosed that approximately 40 constitutional amendment bills were before the National Assembly and would be subjected to a vote by lawmakers in the coming weeks.

“I can assure you that your advocacy has been listened to. But it is also important that you reach out to your members and your senators to impress it upon them that this is what you want.”

He added that the constitutional amendment bills would be voted on electronically, stressing that lawmakers had tested the technology to ensure seamless and transparent operation.

According to him, voting electronically will ensure every member’s and senator’s vote is publicly known.

“This is a bill that I believe Mr President would pass if it gets to him. As you know, our excellency, the first lady, a former senator, has also been advocating for this bill.

“So I’m here basically to let you know that we hear you, and we’re going to take that feedback to the members and the leadership of the NASS.”

According to him, once deliberations on the Electoral Act Amendments are concluded, lawmakers will proceed to vote on the 40 constitutional amendment bills, including the reserved seats proposal.

“The low level of representation of women in the National Assembly is something that is important to both men and women.

“We have so many men and women in the assembly who believe that having 14 women out of 360 in the House of Representatives is a gross injustice, and having four women out of 109 in the Senate is a gross injustice.

“Having over 20 plus seats in some of the state houses of assembly that don’t have a single woman is a gross injustice.

“So I want you to know that we have heard you, we have listened to you, and this has been reflected in the Constitutional Amendment Bills that are currently before the National Assembly,” he said.

Recall that the Special Seats Bill seeks to reserve additional seats for women in both the National and State Assemblies to guarantee minimum representation.