As controversy and protests continue to trail the rejection of three gender based Bills by the National Assembly during clause by clause consideration the Constitution Review, the House of Representatives on Tuesday rescinded its decision to reject the Bills.
The Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila had called for a rescission of the votes on the affected bills after the lawmakers held an executive (closed-door) session on Tuesday.
It would be recalled that while there are five gender bills, those to be revisited are Bill 36 to “expand the scope of citizenship by registration;” Bill 37 to “provide for affirmative action for women in political party administration;” Bill 38 to “provide criteria for qualification to become an indigene of a state in Nigeria.”
Those dropped are Bill 35 to “provide for special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly;” and Bill 68 “to give women a quota in the federal and state executive councils or ministerial and commissionership seats.”
In his remarks, Gbajabiamila noted that the three bills would be included in the second batch of amendment bills to be considered.
In his remarks, Gbajabiamila noted that the three bills would be included in the second batch of amendment bills to be considered in about four weeks’ time.
After the lawmakers unanimously approved the reversal via voice vote, female members of the House as well as some male counterparts gave the Speaker a standing ovation.
Since the rejection of the Bills, women groups have besieged the gate to the National Assembly to protest the action.
Meanwhile, wives of some state Governors yesterday joined the various women groups protesting alleged injustice at the gate of the National Assembly.
Those who joined were the First Ladies of Ekiti, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Edo, Betty Obaseki and Akwa Ibom, Martha Udom.
They were led by Fayemi, who said they were at the protest ground to stand in solidarity for all Nigerian women.
“We are here to demand our rights. We want our leaders at the National Assembly to recognise that Nigerian women matter,” she said.
On her part, Mrs. Obaseki said anyone who neglects the interest of women would lose elections in Edo State while Mrs. Emmanuel, who emphasised 35 per cent affirmative action for women, urged that women be given the opportunity to contribute to the development of society.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri was also at the protest.
