By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
As the 2023 general elections approaches,the women advocate research and decumentation center, WARDC, in collaboration with UN women,and Canadian Embassy, have drawn women candidate from six Northwestern states that includes Jigawa Kaduna, Kano, Katsina,Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara for a two day Coaching and mentoring for elections process.
Speaking during the mentoring the Executive Director, Women Advocate, Research and Documentation Centre WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiode Afolabi.said “This programme is being supported by UN Women and Canadian Embassy aimed at promoting mentoring and coaching of female candidates across Nigeria.
He further explain”This becomes necessary because we realized that there is a need for female candidates to have the right information to help them succeed at their figertips because a lot has changed about election since passage of electoral law.
Dr Afolabi maintain that the need to understand how BIVAS works, how to ask the right questions, how to raise funds, political party campaigns among others.
“We have brought those that have been elected before to share their experiences with them.For example, there are over 180 members of the state houses of assemblies in the Northwest.Only one woman is there here in Kaduna and that is a huge gap.The women must be equipped, ready and have understanding of what they want to do.
In an interview with some of the participants,Hajiya Halima Zubairu Abdulhamid Danbatta,how is contesting for Kano State House of assembly for Danbatta Constituency under the platform of people democratic party,PDP said “we have benefitted amensily with this mentoring and Coaching program, we have learned a lot of knowledge,that we can put in place during our campaigns.
Halima Danbatta further explain that this program been an avenue that enlighten us more about the whole campaigns processed that can be used during our campaigns also more strategies were tough by various facilitators.
She explained that if elected l will lniatiatate bills that will enhance the wallbeen of Women and Youths in Kano State, because there is need for women to be participating in Politics there some setting laws that only women can bring them before any house of assembly,so if elected l do my possible best to uplift Women and Youths in my Constituency through women and Youths empowerment programs.
Also speaking, Rashida Musa Na’Allah, who is making effort to represent Dauko Wasagu constituency, Kebbi State House of Assembly under ADC, is banking on her popularity and acceptability to win the forthcoming election to address education issues associated with insecurity in the state.
“We are having a lot of security problems and that is now taking its toll on our education. The truth is there cannot be impactful learning in an environment that is characterized by insecurity. So, if elected, I will take it upon myself through legislation until there is a change because education is key”, she said.
Adamilo Yakubu, who is also eying Kaduna State House of Assembly, Chikun Constituency under Action Democratic Party (ADP), believed that with God and the support of her constituents especially youths, she would emerge victorious in the coming election.
“As a young and vibrant lady, I want to take the space we have entrusted into the hands of some people for a long time with little or nothing to show for that trust. It may interest you to know that it was people around me that bought the form for me to contest this election she concluded.
