A coalition of women’s groups in Gombe State has called for increased political inclusion, demanding reserved seats and up to 50 per cent representation for women in the 2027 general elections.

The 12 groups, led by Hadiza Maina Sule, Chairperson of the League for Women Voters in Nigeria in Gombe State, presented petitions to members of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from the state, urging them to support the passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill currently before the National Assembly of Nigeria.

Speaking during the rally, Sule said the bill had lingered in the National Assembly for too long and called for urgent legislative action ahead of the next election cycle.

She explained that the demand for reserved seats is aimed at ensuring greater female participation in governance, noting that women’s representation remains critical to addressing their needs and aspirations.

“We want some elective seats reserved exclusively for women in the upcoming elections so that women can be fully included in governance,” she said.

Also speaking, the state chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Abigail Kolo, backed the call, stressing that increased female representation in parliament would help address issues affecting women.

“Having more women in the National Assembly will strengthen advocacy on issues such as menstrual hygiene and other gender-specific concerns,” she said.

Lawmakers who received the petitions include Usman Bello Kumo (Akko Federal Constituency), J.C. Ali Isa (Balanga/Billiri), Abdullahi El-Rasheed (Dukku/Nafada), Tongo Yaya Bauchi (Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye), Paul Obed Shehu (Kaltungo/Shongom), and Inuwa Garba (Yamaltu/Deba).

The groups maintained that without deliberate policies such as reserved seats, women’s participation in politics would remain limited despite their significant contribution to national development.