Constitution Review: There was a conspiracy against Nigerian women -Rep Onyejiocha

By Christiana Ekpa 

The Deputy Majority Whip in the House of Representatives and sponsor of the bill seeking to create additional seats for women in the National Assembly, Rep. Nkiruka Onyejeocha has expressed shock and disappointed over the 

rejection of four bills relating to Nigerian women in the just concluded constitution  review  by the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Recalled that the Chambers of the National Assembly while voting on the Constitutional amendment bill on Tuesday, rejected the bills seeking to promote the interest of women and create additional Legislative

seats and provide 35% affirmative action in political parties.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Rep. Onyejeocha said if the bills had passed, it would have helped closed the gap where Nigeria is ranked 184 out of 187 in the world ranking of women’s participation in politics.

She explained that the reason for the proposed additional reserved seat for women in parliament was because the male folks were not ready to give out space for the female from the already existing 469 seats at the federal level as well as that at the states level.

According to Nkirurka, the bills that were shutdown has by implication taken the country backward, adding that it was an act of injustice against women in politics.

“The shown of shame that took place  yesterday has only taken this country backward  by 50 percent because currently Nigeria is ranking 184 out of 187 country in women participation and that is a shame on us as giant of Africa as we claim.

“ People who signed their signatures on that bill came on the day of voting to reject same bill, that is an act of conspiracy, bias and gang up against women in politics.

“Nigeria women are hurting, what happened yesterday shows that these men do not have respect for women and don’t believe we can add value. This will only discourage women from participating in politics and that in turn is not good for our democracy.

“Some are coming up with the argument of funding why don’t they allow the presidency who has the  power of the purse argue that.

“Others are saying is a northern agenda and I will tell you it is not true because all the northern lawmakers who sat with me yesterday voted in favour of these bill, it is not about the North its about personalities who do not want women representation .

“Nigeria women are waiting for them to come and explain to us what happened and we believe going forward this will guide women in every move . 

She continues “Everybody saw what transpired on the floor of the House, even the Senate yesterday. To say the least, I am very disappointed. Disappointed not because people shut down the bills but because the bills that were shut down have taken this country backwards. Take it from the basics. Number one. God Himself created Adam and removed a rib and made Eve and said this is your help mate. 

“Nigeria as we speak is boasting with their women who are doing wonderfully well. And of course, you saw that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala contested with world powers and she made it. That’s our blood. Look at Amina Mohammed, to mention but a few. We boast of being the giant of Africa, yet we are the least as far as women representation is concerned. I am also worried because we are losing a lot in terms of resources.