Reserved Seat Bill Gains Support From Catholic Archbishop Of Owerri

 

By Dorcas Achi 

The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Diocese His Grace, Rt. Rev. Lucius Ugoji, has declared his strong support for the Reserved Seat Bill For Women, emphasizing that women are entitled to equal opportunities with their male counterparts, given their equality before God.

He endorsed the campaign on 17th March, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, during an advocacy visit organised by the Social And Integral Development Centre (SIDEC) as part of the ongoing PROJECT IMPACT initiative, aimed at fostering inclusive civic engagement, mobilisation, and transformative advocacy in collaboration with the Nigeria Civic Society Situation Room.

SIDEC, a female-led non-governmental organisation headquartered in the Southeast, is presently spearheading the Special Seat Bill campaign in Imo and Anambra States. 

In her address to the Bishop, Mrs Ugochi Agalaba-Ehiahuruike, Executive Director of SIDEC, emphasized the organisation's advocacy for a 35 percent affirmative action quota for women, underscoring the imperative of augmenting female representation in elective offices. This, she noted, necessitates a constitutional amendment to allocate reserved seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, and a minimum of three seats in state Assemblies.

Drawing inspiration from the efficacy of reserved seats legislation in several African nations, including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, she expressed optimism that a similar model could be successfully implemented in Nigeria. 

Bishop Ugoji affirmed that women are entitled to parity of rights and opportunities with men, eschewing any form of gender-based discrimination. He underscored the Catholic Church's commitment to upholding human dignity, emphasizing that men and women are essentially equal in the eyes of God.

He lamented that despite constituting a numerical majority, women often prove reluctant to support one another's endeavours. Whilst advocating for women's active participation in electoral contests alongside men, he acknowledged that their domestic responsibilities frequently impede their full engagement in the political sphere. Consequently, he posited that reserving seats for women at all levels of governance would provide them with a viable platform to participate at a pace consonant with their circumstances.

He commended Prof. Nnenna Otti's stellar performance in the recent Abia State governorship election, which he deemed redemptive for Abia State, opining that her exemplary leadership is precisely what Nigeria needs to chart a more felicitous course. 

Bishop Ugoji emphasized that a woman in elected office has a mandate to serve the broader populace, transcending parochial interests, as politics is essentially a vocation of service.