By Dorcas Achi 

As the Reserved Seat Bill campaign intensifies in Imo and Anambra States, Mr. Godson Okeoma, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imo State Civil Service Commission, has expressed his endorsement of the Bill, announcing his readiness to collaborate with the Social And Integral Development Centre (SIDEC) to drive the IMPACT PROJECT forward.

He expressed his endorsement during an advocacy visit undertaken by the Social And Integral Development Centre (SIDEC) to the Imo State Secretariat on 17 March 2026.

Mrs. Ugochi Agalaba-Ehiahuruike, Executive Director of SIDEC, revealed that the organization in partnership with Nigeria Civic Society Situation Room is undertaking an IMPACT PROJECT which involves inclusive mobilization drive, engaging diverse stakeholders across religious, traditional, legislative, and political spheres to garner support for the reserved seat bill, aimed at promoting women's representation in Nigeria's governance framework.

She articulated that the organisation seeks to realise governance through an inclusive paradigm, wherein governmental offices, institutions, infrastructure, and public spaces are deliberately designed to foster a policy framework that champions inclusivity for women, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable populations.

 She emphasized that the Reserved Seat Bill advocacy seeks to rectify the glaring disparity in women's representation within Nigeria's legislative framework. Currently, women occupy merely 4 out of 108 senatorial seats, 16 out of 360 federal representative seats, and 55 out of approximately 991 state legislative positions. 

Mrs. Agalaba-Ehiahuruike decried this imbalance, highlighting the resultant marginalisation of women, quoting that "poverty has a woman face". The Special Seat Bill, she noted, would facilitate the prioritisation of gender-responsive policies and reforms, ultimately benefiting women.

She argued that women's inclusion is essential for accelerated development and urged the Permanent Secretary to leverage his influence to persuade lawmakers to support the bill when it reaches the national assembly. 

She respectfully sought the Permanent Secretary's collaborative support, leveraging his influential position in overseeing women's affairs in Imo, to champion the bill's advancement. She encouraged him to utilize his esteemed office to advocate persuasively with lawmakers, urging their endorsement of the bill upon its presentation to the national assembly.

In response, Mr. Godson Okeoma lauded SIDEC's pioneering efforts, affirming that the implementation of their projects, particularly those benefiting the disabled community, would be truly commendable. He pledged to forge a collaborative partnership with SIDEC, converging their collective energies towards achieving a shared vision.

 He noted, however, that Imo State is fortunate to have a governor who champions gender-sensitive and inclusive governance, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to empowering vulnerable groups. This forward-thinking leadership he said, has fostered a sense of belonging among women, evident in their appointment to strategic government positions in the state.

"Child abuse and domestic violence is reducing drastically in Imo courtesy of the first lady's approach.

"In Imo there are functional laws protecting the rights of women and children. This ministry and SIDEC need to carry out a sensitization tour for people to understand child law, widowhood law, and laws protecting women against abuse, that way they can defend their rights".

He directed the team to formulate a comprehensive blueprint and actionable work plan to operationalise their initiatives benefiting women, children, and the disabled community, emphasising that his ministry prioritises meticulous organisation and attention to detail in its collaborative endeavours.

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.