On Wednesday 3 June 2026, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) hosted members of the House of Representatives Spouses Association (HORSA), led by the Wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairperson of HORSA, Mrs. Fatima Abbas Tajudeen, for a courtesy visit at PLAC office.

Welcoming the delegation, PLAC’s Executive Director, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, highlighted the PLAC’s longstanding commitment to promoting inclusive governance and increasing women’s representation in political institutions. He noted that despite Nigeria’s democratic progress, women’s representation in elective offices remains significantly low, making deliberate interventions necessary to address the imbalance.

Mr. Nwankwo noted that the Special Seats Bill has undergone extensive consultations, legislative reviews, and stakeholder engagements since its introduction. He described its passage as critical to strengthening inclusive representation in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and emphasized that failure to pass the bill would be a stain on the legacy of the 10th National Assembly.

In her remarks, Mrs. Fatima Abbas Tajudeen commended PLAC for its consistent contributions to democratic development, legislative strengthening, and women’s political participation. She outlined HORSA’s efforts to promote women’s empowerment through initiatives focused on leadership development, digital literacy, and economic inclusion. She also proposed deeper collaboration between HORSA and PLAC to strengthen advocacy efforts and build momentum for the passage of the Special Seats Bill.

Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, Chairperson of the House Committee on Humanitarian Affairs, emphasized the need for stronger public understanding of the Special Seats Bill. She argued that the proposal should not be viewed as a challenge to current legislators, but as an opportunity to broaden representation and bring more perspectives into legislative decision-making.

Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs highlighted the need for more strategic engagement with stakeholders and legislators, noting that misconceptions about the bill continue to affect public understanding and support.

Members of HORSA, including Mrs. Ann Osawaru, wife of Hon. Billy Osawaru and Mrs. Hadiza Alao-Akala, wife of Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, expressed strong support for the Special Seats Bill, describing it as an important step towards ensuring that women have a greater voice in governance and public decision-making. They stressed that increasing women’s representation would strengthen democratic processes, improve policy outcomes, and ensure that governance structures better reflect the diversity of Nigerian society.

The meeting concluded with both organizations reaffirming their commitment to sustained engagement and collaboration in support of the Special Seats Bill and broader efforts to advance women’s participation in political leadership and decision-making in Nigeria.