Women Groups Urge Lawmakers to Fast-Track Inclusive Governance Bill in Gombe

The League of Women Voters of Nigeria and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Gombe State chapter, have called on lawmakers to expedite the passage of a bill aimed at promoting inclusive governance across the country.

The appeal came on Tuesday when the chairperson of the groups, Hadisa Maina-Sule, led an advocacy delegation to the six federal constituencies in the state to push for stronger female representation in political offices.

“We are here to visit our legislators in the six federal constituencies to submit our petitions on the need for inclusive governance,” Maina-Sule said. “The bill has not been passed yet. We have been waiting; now we feel we can go through them to push it.”

She explained that after submitting the petitions, the groups would await action from the lawmakers, adding that inclusion through reservations would enable women to participate in governance from the grassroots to the federal level.

Maina-Sule stressed that greater female participation would help address critical social issues, noting that “women and children have the highest issues… if we are in governance, we will solve them.

The Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Abigail Kolo, said the advocacy was part of efforts to ensure the bill receives prompt attention at the National Assembly. “Women deserve a chance because they have a vital role to play in nation-building,” she added.

Another participant, Fatima Abdullahi, expressed optimism that the engagement would yield positive results, saying, “We hope that with this push, women’s voices will be heard.”

Aides to some of the lawmakers assured the delegation that the petitions would be delivered. Paul Shehu-Obed, aide to the member representing Kaltungo/Shongom Federal Constituency, stated, “I will take it to him. I am sure that he will act on it; we know how important women are.”

Similarly, Emmanuel Sulaiman, aide to the lawmaker for Yalmatu/Deba Federal Constituency, Inuwa Garba, said, “By God’s grace, the letter will get to the lawmaker before the end of today.”