By Comfort Olayinka
The member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency,Hon. Clement Jimbo, has advocated for increased special seats for women in Nigeria’s National and State Houses of Assembly. He believes the proposed 35% representation is insufficient, citing God’s creation in Genesis as a 50/50 model.
Jimbo emphasized women’s exceptional abilities, noting that they outnumber men in Nigeria’s population. He shared personal experiences, highlighting women’s determination and resilience, particularly during his election.
The lawmaker urged women to take advantage of the ongoing constitutional review, led by Rt. Hon. Kalu, to empower themselves. He called on legislators, governors, and state assemblies to support women’s inclusion, stressing that governors can influence bills in state houses.
At an international legislative dialogue on women and constitution amendment in Nigeria, Jimbo encouraged women to make themselves visible and available for elective positions. He debunked funding as the major challenge, emphasizing conviction, vision, passion, and courage.
Jimbo assured his support for the bill, stating, “I will be one of those that will vote in support of this very bill.” His advocacy aligns with efforts to promote gender equality and empower women in Nigerian politics.
He said, “What is happening today (Monday) history is taking place, a positive honor that matter. History that eventually, when it unfolds, will become so monumental that what has never been witnessed in the land space called Nigeria would have been witnessed by not just talking, but walking the talk to see to it that what many houses of representatives in the past weren’t able to do, the 10th house of representatives under the leadership of speaker Rt.Hon Tajudeen Abbas PhD and Rt.Hon Benjamin Kalu, the house committe chairman on constitution review would have been seen to have done it. And what is that thing? Effective women inclusion, not just as a policy statement, but enshrined in our constitutional groundnuts to become a law that political parties will be forced to abide by it.”
