Reps make U-turn on three rejected gender bills

The House of Representatives has reversed its decision on three gender-related bills it earlier rejected.

The decision comes amid protests by several women groups who have vowed to continue demonstrating until their demands are met.

The three bills are those that seek to expand the scope of citizenship by registration, provide criteria for qualification to become an indigene of a state in Nigeria and establish 35 per cent affirmative action for women in political party administration

The House had rejected the bills last week while voting on proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

However, the rejection of the bills was reversed after a motion moved by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday.

As a result, the bills were re-committed to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

According to a statement posted on Twitter handle of the House Of Representatives, the bills would be re-considered in the next phase of voting on another set of Constitution amendment bills in four weeks.