The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said President Bola Tinubu supports proposed legislation seeking reserved seats for women and persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.
Abbas disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pete Vowles, during a courtesy visit.
He said the House of Representatives was committed to promoting inclusiveness in political governance, particularly by increasing the representation of women and persons with disabilities in legislative institutions.
The Speaker noted that Nigeria continued to lag behind in women’s representation in politics, adding that bills aimed at addressing the challenge were at various stages of consideration.
He said the legislature had engaged the executive arm of government to secure its support for the proposed legislation, describing the initiative as an opportunity to introduce an innovative approach to political representation.
“This initiative is going to be an innovation that has not been tested in any part of the world,” Abbas said.
He explained that, under the proposed arrangement, women and persons with disabilities would be elected through an electoral college comprising elected officials, rather than through the conventional voting system.
“Women and persons living with disabilities will be elected by elected officials,” he said, adding that the arrangement would significantly increase women’s participation in parliament.
Abbas said Tinubu had adopted the bills, which would be transmitted to the National Assembly as executive bills.
He noted that the United Kingdom had consistently supported democracy, inclusion and equal opportunities, stressing that Nigeria shared similar commitments.
“I want you to know that we are equally passionate, like the UK,” he said.
The Speaker also assured the British envoy that the House remained open to strategic engagement and advisory support from the UK.
Vowles, who described himself as the “Brand New British High Commissioner to Nigeria,” said he had been posted to the country about four weeks earlier.
He acknowledged the longstanding relationship between both countries, explaining that his visit was to establish areas of mutual cooperation.
“The courtesy call to the Speaker was to pay respect to your office and to know what we can do together,” he said.
In a separate meeting on Tuesday, Abbas received a delegation led by Hollywood actor and Guardian Girls International founder, Shin Koyamada, who announced the launch of Guardian Girls Nigeria (GGN).
Koyamada was accompanied by the President of Guardian Girls Africa, Mary Ehi Obande; President of Guardian Girls Nigeria, Ruqayya Ahmed; Secretary-General of the Nigerian chapter, Aisha Alhassan; and the organisation’s legal adviser, Mike Patrick.
He said the organisation worked in more than 20 countries in partnership with United Nations agencies, diplomatic missions and sports federations to protect women and girls against gender-based violence.
Koyamada, known for his role in The Last Samurai, said he spent 26 years in the United States, where he began his Hollywood career, before returning to Japan to establish Guardian Girls International.
He explained that the organisation uses self-defence training, sports and education to promote gender equality, prevent gender-based violence and empower girls.
“Today, we are launching Guardian Girls Nigeria in Abuja,” he said, outlining activities planned for the inauguration, including receptions and self-defence seminars organised in collaboration with the Japanese and Vietnamese embassies and national martial arts federations.
Koyamada also disclosed that Guardian Girls International had signed a memorandum of understanding with relevant partners in Nigeria to advance its programmes.
