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Reserve Seat Bill: House Expresses Commitment to Women’s Participation

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The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, says the Reserve Seat Bill is a commitment to enhance women’s political representation and address gender disparity in governance.

Kalu, at a Special Dialogue on Reserved Seats Bill Under SheThePeople Platform, on Thursday in Abuja, said that the bill was not an act of tokenism.

He was represented by Dr Sam Hart, his Chief of Staff, at the dialogue which was hosted by Emerge Women Development Initiative in partnership with the Entrepreneurship Centre for Women Development (ECWD).

Its theme was, “Deepening the Conversation, Accelerating Women’s Representation in Governance”.

The deputy speaker stressed the need to examine provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and ensure that they promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“This bill is not just a piece of legislation, neither is it an act of tokenism.

“It is proof of our collective commitment to change the narrative and to disrupt the status quo that has long sidelined women from decision making tables,” he said.

Kalu stressed the need to examine the electoral laws, party politics and societal norms that hinder women’s representation and create an inclusive and equitable society.

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He reaffirmed the commitment of the legislature to advocate for policies that will see women, not as tokens, but as equal partners in governance, urging all stakeholders to commit towards gender equality.

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, advised women to keep pushing for the passage of the bill.

“Start talking to the party people. Let there be a law that if you do not meet certain quota, you are not going to run for elections, not just in elective but also at appointment.

“So, they should make it possible that at least 35 per cent are women, so that they could also be able to bring 35 per cent or more that will be party executives.

“This will also have women that make primaries, which will help them contest during elections,” she said.

Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, said that the bill would deepen democracy, enrich governance with inclusivity, and ensure that decision-making reflects the full diversity of the nation.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim was represented by Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, Deputy National Women Leader, All Progressive Congress (APC).

She said that the bill would also enhance Nigeria’s global standing and position as a credible leader in advancing gender equality across Africa and beyond.

Mrs Mary Ikoku, Founder, SheThePeople platform, said that the reserved seats for women will ensure inclusive representation and reflect the diversity of Nigerian society.

“We are not asking for favour. What we are asking for are just constitutional rights of women and girls to have rights to leadership,” she said.

Meanwhile, Aisha Yesufu, a renowned political and human rights activist, during a panel discussion, urged the National Assembly to pass a bill to enable the country thrive and promote gender equity.

The Ninth Assembly has come and gone and history has recorded that it was its members that vehemently rejected the bill.

“For the Tenth Assembly, I have this to say: sign the bill on reserved seats for women if you want to be remembered,” she said.

Other activities included a panel discussion on Building a Strong Case for the Reserved Seats Bill: Strategies for Advocacy and Lobbying for Passage. (NAN)

 

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Group warns Kwankwaso Against Using Social Media Handlers To undermine security and public order in Kano .

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The Kano Peace Coalition Group, has uncovered a report on how the Leader of Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, allegedly manipulate Youth groups to create uncertainty and chaos in the ancient City of Kano.

The State Coordinator of the Group, Datti Datti Tukur, said in a release, Tuesday, that the Youth’s who are members of Kwankwasiyya Movement from the branches of the Social Media, have recently taken on their accounts attacking prominent political figures including the state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Abdullahi U GANDUJE and anyone that disagrees with his self serving political philosophy.
The group specifically singled out a case in which the Kwankwasiyya handlers degnirated the personality of Gov Yusuf depicting him in female attires wearing makeup.

Datti further added that, One of the characters involved in these atrocities was Abba Ibrahim Hussain aka Aiha, a notorious cyber stalker allegedly on the payroll of KWANKWASO.

“Available record shows that Hussain has been charged to a Magistrate Court 47 Zungeru Road, and reminded in Prison on 23 February 2026 for the offences of Cyber Bullying, Stalking and inciting public disturbances” by the DSS kano command.

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Similarly the Group also cited a case of one Abdulmajid Danbilki Kwamanda who was cautioned in the past by the security operatives for allegedly being used by Kwankwaso to denigrate the character of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and creat tension in the state.

The group further added that “Despite clear facts against him, Danbilki was neither detained nor harassed by the security Agency”.

They said, reports available to them, also identified one Samir Sani Hanga, Son of the Senator representing Kano Central, Sani Hanga, who was also accused of Cyber Bullying and Staking but cautioned by the security to desist from such criminal behavior in the presence of his father.

“Investigation also uncovered the involvement of one Abdullahi Aminu Warkal, another Kwankwasiyya social media handler who was alleged to have been harassed by the Security operatives.

“Report however indicated that Warkal was invited by the security agency to explain how he defrauded the government of N10 Million.

The Coordinator, appealed to Amnesty International who was said to have issued a statement alleging harassment of Political opponents in Kano to verify every claim with the spirit of fairness and professionalism before taking stand to avoid compromising the group’s reputation and credibility.

“That as a respected INGO, Amnesty International should not allow itself to be compromised by anybody but including KWANKWASO.”
The need to investigate and verify claims before rushing to the press is sacrosanct and complementary to the efforts of security agencies towards eradicating the menace of cyber bullying and disrespect for constituted authority.

He said, “Kano is a respected State with People of dignity, integrity and religious consciousness. No one will be happy to see some misguided individuals sponsored to disrespect elders and leaders. The Amnesty International should look at the issues of cyber bullying, stalking and incitement that clearly violates the law.

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President Tinubu Decorates Disu as New IGP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decorated the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, with his new rank at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The decoration took place during the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday and attended by top government officials and some family members of the new acting IGP.

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With the swearing-in, the Acting IGP, Disu becomes Nigeria’s 23rd Inspector-General of Police.

His appointment follows the resignation of the former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The Presidency linked Egbetokun’s resignation to pressing family considerations.

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BREAKING: DSS Stalls Own Case Against El-Rufai, Claims Ex-Governor Not in Their Custody

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the scheduled arraignment of Nasir el-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, until April 23.

Mr. el-Rufai is facing a three-count charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) related to the alleged unlawful interception of a telephone conversation. The charges stem from comments the former governor made during a television interview.

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The court had initially set Wednesday, February 25, for his arraignment. However, during Wednesday’s proceedings, Mr. el-Rufai was not produced in court.

Oluwole Aladedoyin, counsel for the prosecution, informed the court that the former governor is currently being detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with a separate matter.

“Unfortunately, the defendant is with the ICPC, and I do not know how far the investigation with the ICPC has gone,” Mr. Aladedoyin explained to the court.

The charges against the former governor pertain to an alleged breach of the Cybercrimes Act.

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