The House of Representatives has made a reversal on three gender-related bills that failed to pass in the ongoing amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, following an executive (closed-door) session today called for an annulment of the votes on the affected bills.
The Bills to be reconsidered are Bill 36 to “expand the scope of citizenship by registration;” Bill 37 to “provide for affirmative action for women in political party administration;” and Bill 38 to “provide criteria for qualification to become an indigene of a state in Nigeria.”
Bills 35 and 68 which are to “provide for special seat for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly;” and “to give women a quota in the federal and state executive councils or ministerial and commissionership seats”, respectively were dropped by the lawmakers.
The Speaker was thereafter given a standing ovation when the reversal was approved.