Politics
By Kennedy Nnamani
FOLLOWING her success as the Niger state All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, governorship flag bearer at the primaries, Khadijah Abdullahi Iya, says that the support of the youth has propelled her to contest for the governorship election in the state.
Abdullahi Iya explained that after the 2019 elections, her plan was to sit and observe another election process, but that the support of the youth who have been working with her propelled her not to ignore the call.
“The youth who have been with me will not let me be and a particular one came all the way from the south to cajole me, and before I knew what hit me; I had people clamouring and pushing the same agenda and singing the same song,” she said.
She added that the reality of the situation in Niger state contributed to the drive which stimulated her desire to go for the seat of the number one person in the state.
According to her, the earnest need of the people of Niger was palpable, and instead of ducking under the sheets and thinking that this is not my problem, it is better to hold the bull by the horns again.
“Yet there were also a delighted bunch of people, especially at the grassroots who are elated that a woman can change the course of their lives, they were intrigued at how this race was challenging the status quo,” she noted.
While alluding to the mentorship which she had received from her father, Abdullahi Iya stated that her late father would not be happy with her if she did nothing for the service of the people.
“My father of blessed memory was one of the heroes of my life. What he has left for us is a huge legacy of kindness and social impact; a man who always puts his people first and ensures that everyone is well taken care of. I asked myself would he be happy? Would he like that I am on a journey to continue his legacy of service and selflessness,” she said.
In the same vein, the APGA guber candidate recalled the 35% affirmative action resolutions of the Beijing conference in 1995 was another propeller that has triggered her quest for the position of the top job of Niger state.
However, she expressed her awareness of the sturdy obstacles that are facing both her gender and her candidacy, noting that many women avoid vying for various positions due to the societal status quo.
“Now I know that many women, because of the vilification, avoided coming out to run.
“I am hoping that my coming out will encourage more women to also come out and be part of the process.
“I have known that the seat will not be handed to you on a platter, you’ll have to take your own chair and sit at the table,” she added.
She therefore urged all well-meaning people of the state to be united to take back power from the system she described as “the spoil system.”
“This spoils system is partly responsible for the stagnation that our dear state has been suffering,” she said.
She further added that “Niger State is our home, our pride and it behooves everyone to make it their business. It behooves every stakeholder to begin to see clearly that this is not about them; it is about the greater good. It is about who truly cares to right the wrongs in the state and reposition the state to the direction it ought to be and not because of what is there to gain as spoils of office.”
Abdullahi-Iya, a lawyer by profession, was the running mate to Fela Durotoye, presidential candidate under the Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN, in the 2019 general elections.
KN
Tags: APGA Fela Durotoye Kennedy Nnamani Khadijah Abdullahi Iya
