Halimat Ikuji Alfa is a member of SURE-P committee from Kogi State. She spoke on her desire to contest for the Kogi East senatorial seat and the challenges women face in politics among others issues. Excerpts:
What motivated you to go into politics?
This is my third attempt to represent my people at the Senate, apart from aspiring to be the governor of the state one time. Governor Idris Wada’s posture for women leadership encouraged me a lot about politics. He is one governor that has a lot of respect for women. In one of my political outings with the government during the process of constituting the administration of the third tier of governments I did suggest to him to consider women for chairmanship position in at least two local government councils. To my surprise, the governor advised the stakeholders to include women at the councils’ administration. Today, we have women councilors and supervisory councilors in many councils in the state. This has never happened in the history of the state. The credit goes to the governor who brought his disposition to bear because he is well read, and exposed to the world of women in leadership. If he did not give his support to the idea of women leadership, we would not have had it so good in last council election in the state. In the past, stakeholders meeting were held in the state without giving consideration to women, but today, it is a different ball game entirely. The era of putting the women at rear end of leadership role is over.
Why do you insist on going to the Senate considering the fact that in your area, people believe that the position is exclusively reserved for men?
In 1999, when the former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu who brought me into politics saw my antecedents in the various NGOs I was running then, he advised me to join politics. I did tell him then that if he wants me, he should invite me. So, when he became the governor of Kogi State in 1999, he appointed me as a commissioner of industry. That appointment was my “teaching practice” in politics. Prince Audu is an institution in politics. I learnt a lot from him during his administration. Later, I discovered that the intrigues in politics is such that you can be friends today and enemy tomorrow, but what matters is the interest. I have gone through enough turbulence in politics as an Igala woman. Our background and tradition is such that it is difficult to accept women in certain level of leadership role in politics. That is why because of my being a girl- child of my place and indeed entire state, I decided to toe this line of turbulence.
I first of all started my political move when I aspired to be in the Senate through the ANPP years back. I tried my best, despite the obvious challenges. I did not allow it to discourage me. I said what will be the story for the girl-child if I quit politics? They would say they have a mother that ran away from politics because of fears or certain challenges. For instance, there was a time I was attacked in Anyigba and Ankpa during a rally where I almost lost my life. They sent people to assassinate me, but I escaped by the mercy of God. This particular episode made many people, including my mother to advise me to leave politics for the men. I said no because there is nowhere in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that states that ‘politics is exclusively a game for the men’. Even fellow women whom I hold in a high esteem joined voices, telling me to leave politics, but I told them how will posterity judge me if I quit? But now, those people that were advising me to keep off from politics then are the ones telling me to move in now, saying they are proud of me.
What would be your focus if elected?
You know the INEC has not given us green light to start campaign now, but for the sake of this audience I can only say I have enough exposure within the country and outside Nigeria that I will apply to better the lot of the people of my district if given the chance at the National Assembly in next dispensation. Given my position in the country presently, especially working with comity of leaders, my constituency stands to gain a lot if I get their nod to lead them next year. For instance, the fund from the federation account is insufficient for the present administration in Kogi State to pay salary, not to talk of embarking on capital projects. Considering the amount coming in from federation account and the myriads of challenges on ground, the state needs assistance from its representatives at the National Assembly to stimulate other sectors through their resilience, connections and exposure.
That is why it has become inevitable for the districts to feature their best, brightest and well connected sons and daughters beginning next year in order to complement the efforts of the state government. In essence, I am saying the state needs representatives that will assist its organ of development, especially youth empowerment. If I have my way, I will initiate bills and contribute to good laws that will benefit my people. And of course, I will strive to give voice to my natural constituency, women in order to improve their welfare and other related matters affecting them.
As a key player in politics in your district and Kogi State, what would you say are the challenges affecting your constituency that would be your priority if elected?
Well, now, the insecurity aspect has been addressed by Governor Wada. It was thuggery before. If it were before, I cannot come home freely without first settling the “boys”. But now, it is no longer so. You know for a meaningful development to be achieved, peace and security have to be secured. Peace is the bedrock of development in any given community. My governor has addressed that adequately. Challenges like mass transit transport system and skills acquisition have been a serious challenge in my areas; but by God’s grace, if I find myself at the National Assembly, I will address them and others. Besides, I will key into President Goodluck Jonathan’s and Governor Idris’ transformation agenda.
Can you say Nigerian women have taken their rightful positions in the nation’s politics?
At a forum with the stakeholders recently in Lokoja before the inauguration of the on-going national conference, I advocated that the international resolution on women affirmative action be taken seriously and should be a constitutional matter. We have written series of letters to members of the confab to include it in their recommendations and make it a constitutional right for women folks in this country. Women have a friend in President Goodluck Jonathan. His administration recognises women in leadership. That is our steering news. Even, in my state, Kogi, the governor reflected this principle in his cabinet. In fact, survey across the states shows that most states did not even do that. If we can not find solution to it at the confab, if some of us find ourselves in position of authority like National Assembly, we will sponsor a bill to that effect.
