35% Not Enough; Hon. Jimbo Advocates For Special Seats For Women
Hon. Clement Jimbo, member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency at the 10th National Assembly, has called for more seats for Nigerian women, Naija News House reports.
According to the lawmaker, “Going by the history of creation in Genesis 1:1-27, God Almighty created both men and women. Women are asking for 35%, but to me, 35% is not enough. If you look at God’s creation, it was 50/50. Similarly, Nigeria’s population shows that women outnumber men, so asking for 35% is insufficient.
Throughout my primary, secondary school, and university days, I interacted with business people and discovered that those who excel exceptionally are mostly women. The people who elected me to represent Abak, Etim Ekpo, and Ika in the House of Representatives were mostly women. I observed that women can withstand challenges that many men cannot.
During my election, I saw women’s determination when voting started late. They stood firm, regardless of rain or sun, to cast their votes. When women make up their minds to support a cause, they stand by it.
Therefore, I support the 10th National Assembly’s efforts, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Abbas, and the constitutional review led by Rt. Hon. Kalu, to empower women. Just as one cannot clap with one hand, we need both hands to clap well. I urge all legislators, especially governors and state assemblies, to support women when the House of Representatives implements the law.
I appeal to all governors to allow women to showcase their talents, as I know governors can influence bills in state houses of assembly.
However, Hon Jimbo Urged all women to take advantage of the ongoing move by the House of representatives to alter the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended to provide for Seat Reservation for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly.
The outspoken federal lawmaker noted that women should equally take advantage of this agitation, this advocacy, and make themselves visibly available for elective positions henceforth.
He made the call on Monday in Abuja during an international legislative dialogue on women and constitution amendment in Nigeria organized by Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre in conjunction with the European union.
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.”
Speaking with newsmen at the event, Hon Jimbo stated that politics is not an easy task but whoever is coming into it must be convinced of what he or she is embarking on that way they could be a clear vision of what is set to be achieved thereafter.
He debunked insinuations that funds have been the major challenge women in politics are facing, saying that funding issue is applicable to both men and women.
“I don’t think funding is the major challenge women are facing in politics, they must make themselves available and visible. The first thing is conviction. What is driving you to come out to represent your people? It’s a representative position. It is your vision for your people, and your passion and your courage today will make you stand the test of time.
How much money did I have as compared to the person I contested election against, with an incumbent. So everything is not all about money. What is your persuasive advocacy? Why are you able to gather people and talk and communicate your vision to? Because election is not a tea party. You must be prepared. It’s like a war, and you must be prepared to go all out, and that is not to send any fear to anybody. But one thing is certain, that even in the business world, for you to go out there, register a company, put your team together, go there, scout for jobs, buy the tender document, bid for your technicals, bid for your financial and go for the opening tender. Your award letter is given to you. You mobilize resources, go to site and talk to people and execute the project. Is not a work in the park. How much more than an election where you are representing individuals, where your policies and your programs translate into impactation of lives. So women should take advantage of this. And you can be sure that clement Jimbo speaking right now and he will be one of those that will vote in support of this very bill,”
