A member of the All Progressives Congress National Working Committee, Hon. Tolu Bankole, has thrown his weight behind the proposed Reserved Seats Bill for Women in the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to also make provision for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
Bankole, in a statement on Sunday, described the bill as “timely and reflective of the nation’s readiness,” stressing that women remain central to governance and development.
“Women are the engine room of development. No women, no nation. Nigerian women are not only beautiful but also smart, responsive, caring, responsible, competent, and reliable,” he said.
He appealed to both state and federal lawmakers to speed up the passage of the bill, insisting that affirmative action should not exclude PWDs, who he described as among the most vulnerable in society.
According to him, women bring unique qualities to leadership, including breaking stereotypes, providing diverse perspectives, and serving as role models for younger generations.
Bankole also stressed the need to recognise the rights and potential of PWDs, saying: “Affirmative action for PWDs is not just an act of compassion but a national imperative to harness the skills and insights of millions of Nigerians who face systemic barriers.”
The APC chieftain commended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying recent figures show that “Tinubunomics is working.” He cited a GDP growth of 4.23 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, inflation dropping to 20.12 per cent in August, external reserves rising to $42.03bn, and oil production rebounding to 1.68 million barrels per day.
Bankole congratulated Nigerians ahead of the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary, reiterating that the Reserved Seats Bill, with PWD inclusion, would be a “vital step toward equity, representation, and national renewal.”