Labour Party’s Barrister Julius Abure has called for more women representation in governance across all levels of government.
Abure made the call as he received the House of Representatives Advocacy Group for Reserved Seats for Women Bill led by Honourable Khafilat Ogbara at the Party’s National Headquarters.
This was made known via a Press Release titled ‘Abure tasks government, political parties on more women representation in governance’, signed by Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary, Labour Party, on Tuesday 19 August, 2025.
Abure said, in the last election, the ‘Papa, Mama and Pikin’ Party supported women “massively” and won two (2) seats in the Senate and House of Representatives.
The Press Release reads: “The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure has said that governments across all levels and the political parties must initiate a deliberate effort to encourage more women representation in governance.
“Barrister Abure while receiving the House of Representatives Advocacy Group for Reserved Seats for Women Bill led by Honourable Khafilat Ogbara at the party’s National Headquarters said that the Party has been in the vanguard for more women representation in Nigeria.
“He said, “In the last election, we supported the women massively and we won two seats, one in the Senate and the other in the House of Reps. We made deliberate efforts to ensure that we support women.
“”Because of cultural and economic biases, it has been difficult for women to rise in politics, especially, elected officers. That is why we are calling for a deliberate effort either by the political parties or government in power or through legislation that will bring women on board. If we don’t do this, then of course, we will continue to relegate women to the background in our politics.”
“Abure assured that Labour Party will throw its weight on the bill to ensure that Nigeria gets more women representation in the National Assembly.
“He said, “You have come to preach to people who are already converts. In Labour Party, we deliberately ensured that women take charge of sensitive positions in the party. About four women are members of the National Working Committee and five women are state chairmen. And the irony of it is that they are performing better than the men in some cases.”
“Earlier, Leader of the delegation, Hon. Ogbara said that the Bill if passed into law will see more than 70 women given automatic seats in the National Assembly.
“She said, “We are here to seek your support, we know that your members in the House did not come on their own, they came through your party. We also know that when they are casting their votes, they don’t write names on the ballot, it is the party logo that is there, because it is the party that the people voted for. Political parties are critical stakeholders in this project that is why we thought it wise to seek your support and endorsement.
“”We are talking about adding women, it is not on the selfish ground. It is about national growth and development. When the women are okay, the home will be okay. When the home is okay, the immediate society is okay and society generally will be better for it.
“”There are about 14 states that do not have women representation in the National Assembly. We have a situation where a man is chairing the House Committee on Women Affairs in some states.””
