By Dorcas Achi
HRH Eze Uche Austin Possible, Traditional Ruler of Umuonyeche Autonomous Community and Chairman, Owerri Municipal Council of Traditional Rulers, has reiterated his unwavering dedication to promoting the interests of credible women in politics and other fields, characterizing the Special Seat Bill as both timely and indispensable.
He expressed gratitude to SIDEC for soliciting his input as a key stakeholder on the reserved seat bill, during an advocacy visit to his palace on March 17, 2026, where he pledged his steadfast support for their PROJECT IMPACT initiative, which focuses on mobilization, participation, advocacy, and transformative interventions in the lives of women, children, and vulnerable groups.
Mrs. Ugochi Agalaba-Ehiahuruike, Executive Director of SIDEC, averred that the reintroduction of the reserved seat bill was aimed at fostering inclusivity in governance, which would, in turn, catalyze enhanced development and precipitate a more enlightened society.
She stated that the bill aims to establish a framework for equitable representation, entailing reserved seats for women in the Senate (one per state), the House of Representatives, and approximately three reserved seats in each House of Assembly. Notably, this provision would not preclude women from contesting other positions alongside men at all levels of governance.
Whilst acknowledging the presence of women in appointive positions, she emphasized the imperative of achieving commensurate parity in elective offices, deeming it untenable that the House of Representatives comprises only 16 female federal lawmakers out of 360 members, the Senate has a mere 4 female senators out of 108, and a paltry 55 female state lawmakers out of approximately 991 House of Assembly members nationwide.
Ehiahuruike humbly implored the monarch to mobilize stakeholders, particularly legislators, to lend their support to the bill upon its presentation to the National Assembly, underscoring the necessity of securing a two-thirds majority vote to ensure its enactment.
Eze Possible responded, affirming that the era of undervaluing women is over, acknowledging that women have consistently demonstrated their leadership prowess and effectively discharged their responsibilities. "When entrusted with an opportunity, a woman can yield exponential benefits," he remarked.
The monarch disclosed that, exemplifying his commitment, he has appointed two women to his cabinet and intends to appoint more women to enhance representation, fostering inclusivity and creating an enabling environment to cultivate a sense of belonging among women in community endeavors.
As a proponent of women's empowerment and a dedicated gender activist, he recounted his instrumental role in facilitating the enactment of the VAPP law, which has afforded women significant protections, safeguarding their rights to personal dignity, property inheritance, and ownership, among others. He pledged to steadfastly advocate for the reserved seat bill until its realization.
Eze Possible urged women to demonstrate their capabilities and establish their credibility, affirming his steadfast support for women who embody strength, integrity, passion, and a zeal for effecting positive change. "Women constitute a numerical majority; their exclusion from positions of authority breeds disenfranchisement. Leveraging their demographic strength, they ought to assert themselves and provide mutual support. Their efforts should be directed towards self-actualization, rather than competing with their spouses."
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