The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has thrown his full support behind the Special Seats Bill, calling it a transformative step toward gender equity in Nigeria’s political landscape. He described the bill as “a necessity” that would give voice and opportunity to women who have long been underrepresented.
The monarch made this declaration during a high-level advocacy visit to his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, led by UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong. The visit is part of a broader nationwide campaign to push for the passage of the Special Seats Bill, which seeks to amend the Nigerian Constitution to create reserved legislative seats for women in both the National and State Houses of Assembly.
Highlighting the urgency of the bill, the Ooni stated: “This bill will turn around our nation and bring great honour and prosperity. No rational being—especially men—should joke about it. Women must have a sense of pride in this journey. I am fully committed—call me in rain, in sunshine, even while I am asleep.”
Ms. Eyong, in her remarks, referenced countries that have successfully enhanced women’s participation in governance and noted that the bill has received strong grassroots support, having been endorsed during town hall meetings held across all senatorial districts in Nigeria’s 36 states.
Among those who accompanied Ms. Eyong were prominent advocates for women’s rights and political inclusion, including actress and activist Joke Silva; Chairperson of the Women Political Participation Working Group, Ebere Ifendu; National President of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria, Irene Awunah-Ikyegh; and Executive Director of WIMBIZ, Hansatu Adegbite.
The Special Seats Bill proposes the creation of 74 additional seats for women in the National Assembly and 108 seats across State Houses of Assembly. It aims to correct the historical gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political system and promote inclusive, representative governance.
