The House of Representatives has put forward a bill to amend Section 49 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) to create six special seats designated for women and individuals with disabilities.
Named the “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) (Six Special Seats for Special Interest Groups) Bill, 2024 (HB.1811),” the bill had its first reading during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Sponsored by House Spokesman Akintunde Rotimi (Ekiti-APC), the proposed amendment aims to raise the total number of House representatives from 360 to 366, reserving the six additional seats exclusively for women and people with disabilities.
The bill proposes that these special seats be evenly distributed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, allowing one representative from each group per region. Candidates for these seats must fulfill all standard qualifications for House membership.
Additionally, the bill suggests that elections for these positions be conducted via an electoral college, consisting of members from the national associations of each special group, incorporating grassroots and regional input in a multi-tiered election process.
The bill states that, once elected, these representatives would serve the same term as other House members and receive the same benefits.
Rotimi explained that the bill aims to improve representation for women and people with disabilities, who frequently encounter major obstacles to political involvement.
He stated that adding these special seats will ensure that underrepresented groups have their voices heard at the national level, fostering a more balanced and inclusive legislative framework for Nigeria.
