Reps Propose Bill To Alter Section Of 1999 Constitution 

By Stephen Asaba-ase

The House of Representatives has introduced a bill to alter Section 49 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to provide six special seats for women and people with disabilities (PWDs).

Meanwhile, the House of reps. titled the bill as “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) (Six Special Seats for Special Interest Groups) Bill, 2024 (HB.1811),” was introduced for its first reading in the House on Wednesday.

However, the was Sponsored by Akintunde Rotimi (Ekiti-APC), spokesman of the House, proposed its amendment and requested that representatives should be increased to a total number from 360 to 366, with the six additional seats specifically reserved for women and PWDs.

“These special seats according to the bill would devolved equally across the Country’s six geopolitical zones, ensuring one representative from each group per region. Candidates for these seats must meet all standard required for regular House members.

The bill also set out that elections for these roles would be conducted through an electoral college made up of members from the National Associations of each special group, with input from grassroots and regional levels in a multi-tiered election process.

It added that, once elected, the representatives would serve the same term as other House members and receive equivalent benefits, as outlined in the bill.

Rotimi also emphasized that the bill proposed to strengthen representation for women and persons with disabilities that are faced with adverse effects in the political climate in Nigeria, he added

“The inclusion of these special seats will ensure that the voices of underrepresented groups are heard at the national level, creating a more balanced and inclusive legislative framework for Nigeria,” he said.