Aishatu “Binani” Dahiru was the first woman to represent a major party in the governorship and state assembly elections in Nigeria.
After the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) declared her the winner of the governorship primary in the northeastern state of Adamawa.
At a time when just 24 of the 416 candidates running for office are women, the 51-year-old lawmaker may also make history on Saturday.
By being the first female governor to be elected in Africa’s largest democracy.
If Dahiru can defeat 13 other candidates, including the incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who is running for reelection on the ticket of the opposition People’s Democratic Party.
She might be named governor-elect as soon as Sunday afternoon (PDP).It took a lot of effort to obtain the ticket.
Dahiru defeated male political veterans in the primaries, including Jibrilla Bindow, the state’s most recent governor, and Nuhu Ribadu. A former anti-corruption chief and former presidential candidate.
After the primary, a state court invalidated the outcome because of irregularities. And a higher court eventually overturned the decision.
Dahiru, a senator since 2019 and former member of the House of Representatives for one term, faces a unique struggle in the actual election.
Nonetheless, some claim it might bring about change in what is still a conservative society.
Many people believe that a woman has no business running for the office she is, given that she comes from an extremely conservative area.
According to Fakhrriyyah Hashim, a former member of the Africa Leadership Institute and the leader of the Arewa MeToo movement.
Instead, they relate her inability to lead men in prayer to her alleged incapacity to administer a society.
Her candidature has been openly condemned by religious scholars. A horrific 13-year insurgency by Boko Haram that forbids Western education.
In response they kidnaps women and children is still going on throughout the region.
Yet, her supporters—particularly rural women and the working class—remain unconcerned. According to locals, she has long been actively involved in charitable causes supporting low-income homes around the state.
“This is the road Aishatu has long since laid out,” Yasmin Buba, a supporter of girls in Yola, the capital of Adamawa, told Al Jazeera.
“Unlike other politicians who reach to the villages through stakeholders, Aishatu engages with the people directly.Her fame has greatly increased in the last ten years.
She ran for election to the House of Representatives in 201. As a member of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) to represent the federal seat of Yola North/Yola South/Girei.
After Goodluck Jonathan lost the presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari four years later, she switched to the All Progressives Congress.
She has pledged to use the state’s agricultural resources to combat inequality and poverty. She has also positioned herself as a supporter of women’s ability to vote, run for government, and their right to an education.
The Nigerian parliament last year rejected five gender legislation that sought gender equality. Including affirmative action quotas for women in legislative, citing religious and cultural grounds.
“Usually, women leaders tend to be consigned to the periphery because an array of cultural paradoxes.
Inhibits their political path,” Irene Pogoson, professor of political science at the University of Ibadan, stated.
According to analysts, a combination of social norms and a hostile political climate has prevented women from holding high-level political positions.
“Like the majority of Nigerian politicians, they do not participate in the ideological debate that is the foundation of politics.
The same, in my opinion, applies to Binani. She excels at selling herself and is knowledgeable about Nigerian politics, according to Hashim.
Analysts however point out that her trip thus far is a metaphor for the much-needed inclusion of colour and diversity in Nigeria’s otherwise opaque politics.
It remains to be seen whether history will be made, but many believe that Dahiru’s broad, cross-party support marks the start of a new era.
“If Aishatu wins, women will start seeing that these substantive positions are not an exclusive men’s club,” Nkereuwem said.
