Adamawa: Why Binani surprise is a win for women

To achieve this democratic distinction, Hajia Aisha Dahiru Ahmed had to muster enough political clout to thrash all of three men, including the incumbent PDP member, Sa’ad MC Tahir, who was doubly-defeated, even after defecting to the ANPP in a futile effort to retain his coveted seat. The deposed delegate suffered an initial drubbing in the primaries where BINANI made her devastating debut as a woman with the “timber and caliber” for front line politics in Adamawa State. In the elections proper, Hajia Aisha Dahiru Ahmed polled 47,473 votes to dispatch Labour Party’s Ibrahim Babayola Mustapha (27,437), CPC’S Salihu Maina (26,271) and her first victim Sa’ad MC Tahir, now, last and least flying the ANPP flag with a measly 10,273 votes. If truth be told this is no mean achievement for a woman in Adamawa State which is regarded as among the most conservative-traditionalist states of northern Nigeria where women may be seen but certainly not heard! Or so they say.

Hajia Aisha Dahiru Ahmed, a strong Fulani woman, is by no means one who may be deterred by such myths. Prior to delving into partisan politics in 2009, she had surely but quietly made her mark as a successful business entrepreneur. It was in tribute to this attainment and her humble and modest disposition that the corporate identity eventually became her popular alias. All along however she has demonstrated a passionate concern and keen interest in the affairs of her people at home, especially in making tangible efforts to alleviate their deprivations and to give a helping hand here and there to encourage the needy to carry on with life. She maintained a low profile even as she embarked on numerous social responsibility activities. Her strong desire to secure a vantage political position to further her social responsibility concerns by a determined effort to become an honourable Member of the House of Reps was also strengthened by the unequivocal Fatwa pronouncements by Sheikh Ibrahim Saleh and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi on the legitimacy of women’s involvement in politics for the purpose of providing exemplary leadership and service to the community.

Hajia Aisha Dahiru Ahmed, in a post-election statement said she felt humbled by the election victory and renewed her pledge to use her presence in the Federal House of Representatives to extend the frontiers of her service to humanity in her constituency and indeed the entire nation. There can be no doubt that Binani will keep to her words and do the progressive women of Adamawa – and, indeed, Nigeria as a whole – proud for the overall progress and development of meaningful democracy in Nigeria.

Aminudeen is a political commentator in Yola