Mma Odi: National Assembly’s Only Legacy Is Passing Women’s Seats Bill

Civil society leader says lawmakers risk ending tenure without legacy if women’s seats bill is not passed.

Co-convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Mma Odi, has warned that the National Assembly risks finishing its tenure without a meaningful legacy if it fails to pass the bill seeking special legislative seats for women, describing it as a defining test for lawmakers.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Friday, Mma Odi said the prolonged delay in passing the bill shows a lack of urgency on an issue that directly concerns women’s representation in governance.

She stressed that the passage of the bill remains the only achievement that could positively define the current Assembly.

“The only way they can actually have a legacy… is to pass that bill.”

Mma Odi urged lawmakers to treat the bill as a national priority rather than a political formality tied to electoral timing.

She insisted that the responsibility should not stop at the National Assembly, but extend to state legislatures for full constitutional backing.

“They should not only pass the bill, they should also go to their Houses of Assembly… to also pass the bill.”

According to her, the delay undermines efforts to correct long-standing exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria.

She described the bill as urgent and essential for national development, calling for it to be handled as a national emergency.

“They should take it as a very national emergency.”

Mma Odi warned that failure to pass the bill would be remembered as another missed opportunity by the legislature.

“If they refuse to pass the bill, it will be another failure on their part.”

She concluded that civil society groups will continue sustained advocacy and pressure until the bill is passed, insisting that women’s inclusion in governance is non-negotiable.