Abaribe Opens Up on Why Senate May Not Reconsider Gender Bills
- The bill seeking women's inclusion not just in politics but in the decision-making process of the country has again been challenged
- According to Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, the federal lawmakers might not consider the gender bills earlier rejected by the national assembly
- Abaribe called on all those championing the bill to make efforts at modifying some aspects of it in order to make it acceptable to all lawmakers for passage
Eyinnaya Abaribe, minority leader of the senate, says the senate may not revisit the gender bills rejected by the national assembly.
The Cable reports that the senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Abaribe made this disclosure on Sunday, March 13, during an online interview programme.
Federal lawmakers, on March 1, voted against a bill seeking to provide special seats for women in the national and state houses of assembly.
Source: Facebook
The bills rejected
Also rejected was a bill seeking to provide a “reserve quota” for women on appointments.
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The decision was followed by protests by women’s groups and civil society activists who have been demanding a reconsideration of the bills.
Subsequently, the house of representatives rescinded its decision on three ”gender bills” in the constitution amendment.
Abaribe's position
But speaking on Sunday, Abaribe said there is no provision for the bills in the Senate schedule for the remainder of its tenure and that “the senate is not reconsidering revisiting the bill."
He said even if the bills were to be reconsidered, they would have to be reintroduced as fresh bills, adding that the political and electioneering activities ahead of the 2023 elections would make that process difficult to achieve because “senators may not pay attention to the bills as they would be engrossed in ensuring their survival in the political field."
The process by lawmakers to consider the bills
He, however, said there was a glimmer of hope if both chambers of the national assembly agree to fast-track the process.
Speaking further, Abaribe explained how the gender bills were “debated, voted and agreed” upon in the committee sessions.
He said:
“The members of the committee came from all parts of the country. So, after agreeing on the gender bills at the committee level we thought they would be passed easily on the floor of the senate without too much problem."
He expressed surprise that the bills were overwhelmingly rejected by senators during voting and pointed out that the action of the senators shows that the “influence of gender and cultural patterns is still very strong and preeminent in their thinking."
Osinbajo’s wife storms National Assembly
Legit.ng previously reported that the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo on Tuesday, March 1st, led a delegation of women to observe the Senate’s plenary.
The Nation reports that the Senators are preparing to vote on Bills proposed by its committee to amend the 1999 Constitution.
The Senate President Ahmad Lawan recognised the presence of Mrs. Osinbajo and her team at the gallery.
Electoral bill: I don't believe in direct primaries, Buhari blows hot, slams National Assembly
Meanwhile, President Buhari said he personally does not believe indirect primaries in choosing candidates of various political parties for elections.
Speaking on his rejection of the Electoral Bill in an interview, Buhari stated that there should be options in choosing candidates for election, Daily Trust reports.
The president disclosed that introducing only direct primaries is not democratic.
Source: Legit.ng
