“One Notable Female Woman politician that can be elected to the Senate, to represent Kogi Central Senatorial District, come 2023, for the Rescue, is Barrister Natasha [Akpoki] Aduaghan”.
Twenty-three years after the onset of the fourth republic in the Nigeria politics, we should by now be reaping the bountiful harvest of the dividends of democracy, but instead, electorates week from unprecedented bad governance and misrepresentation at all levels of governance, most especially from our male folks.
At different times in history, whenever things became difficult for their community, various societies have been known therefore to put their women in the forefront of the struggle to fight injustice and build a better society. British had her Queen Boadicea in the first century AD, who led the revolt against the occupying Romans; while France had her Joan of Arc at the beginning of the 15th Century, who led the French against the British. In Nigeria, Queen Moremi Ajasoro, showed her men fold how to defeat the Marauding Ugho that was decimating the ranks of the Odua nation at Ife. Less I forget, we have the like of female Deputy Governors, Female Speakers in Nigeria, who had performed credibly in their political callings.
In some recent time also, equally extraordinary women helped their people to greatness as in the case of Rosa Park, the American Equal Rights Activists, who refused to sit at the back of the Bus, an action that was a catalyst for the Martin Luther King-led March towards equality in the USA, which pave the way for miracle called President Barrack Obama.
In Ebiraland, Kogi state of Nigeria, had some notable women politicians of note that could be equal to be remembered. The likes of Hon. Nana Ojeba, of Bless Memory, was a member, Kogi State House of Assembly, who represented Adavi Constituency, died in the course of her meritorious service to her fatherland and the state in general; also of note is Madam Judith Atta, was one time Minister of Internal Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the Military junta, of General Muhammed Abacha, [of Blessed Memory]. Madam Judith Atta, during her sway as a Minister, single-handedly influenced the siting of the only Federal tertiary institution in Ebiraland, the Federal College of Education (FCE Otite), Okene, remain focus in our memory. Ebiraland also produced some powerful women of astute politicians in the first and second republics respectively, whose political sagacity and antecedents will continue to be immortalized, they include Hajiya Inya Ozi Ohinoyi; Hajiya Oyi Sidi Obehira, Hajiya Fatimoh Onoh; Hajiya Salamatu Abere; Inya Oziwere, mentioned but few.
It is obvious that Ebiraland has been passing through difficult political terrain over time, in term of bad representation at both Federal and State Legislative Houses, need women politician of substance to bail us out from this shaky water, irrespective of gender. In order to regain our political significant at the global, Ebiraland obviously, need to raise the quality of representatives at all level of legislative houses, devoid of unnecessary gender discriminations.
While some political pundits in the area, claimed that their male politicians who have been representing them in both state and federal legislative houses, have instinctively failed them; that during their electioneering campaign, they usually promised to turn around the fortunes of their people by proving trailer loads of dividend of democracy, but disappointedly, all promises made remain a fantasy, an illusion indeed.
The question that now seek for an answer is, if Ebiraland is today in difficulty in the hands of our male elected politicians, our Senators, State House of Assembly members, precisely, it is now time for us to try our women fold who are already in the field, to be placed in the front-burner, in the decision-making. Women are mothers of the nation and if given the opportunity, they are not likely to disappoint. Clearly, when a nation, society or community are in trouble, all hands must be on decks. Why then in a time of representative handicap in Ebiraland, failing to use the exceptional human resources available in our female, fortunately enough, Ebiraland is genuinely known as a replete with outstanding women of proven competence in all areas of professional life.
Interestingly, Ebiraland is still blessed with one outstanding and seasoned female politician. She is Barrister Natasha [Akpoti] Uduaghan, former SDP Governorship Candidate in 2019 Kogi State governorship candidate, but recently decamped with his large followers to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). During the 2019 governorship election, Natasha performed credibly at the poll, regardless of all odds of electioneering manipulations and unprecedented riggings against her.
Melinda French Gates (formerly Melinda Gates), in one of her famous speeches, said that “a woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman but the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult”. As if she had seen that Kogi Central Senatorial District had never had a taste of a female leader with remarkable voice since its creation; not just an ordinary woman but a leader who knows what to do for her people; one with not just a strong voice but with stamina to withstand political pressure and drag development to the five (5) Local Government Areas which make up Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Available indicators have shown that Barrister Natasha have declared her intention to contest the 2023 National Assembly election to represent Kogi Central Senatorial, Senate under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Natasha may appear to be a favourite to take over from the incumbent, Senator Ayo Oseni of the APC, in the White Chamber of the National A, from her widespread acceptance across the Central Senatorial district of Kogi Central. She is judged as a grassroots politician and mobilizer.
This courageous woman has been able to carve niche for herself as a political figure to reckon with in Ebiraland. She has survived many hurdles in a men-dominated terrain that endeared many people in the area, that she was the agitator for the revitalization of Ajaokuta Steel industry, even when she has not been elected into political office, and her humanitarian dispositions to the people of Ebiraland and Kogi state in general, also speaks volume for her.
It is obvious that Barrister Natasha is a Legend like historical women of Queen Iden of Ancient Benin Kingdom and Princess Inkpi of Igala Kingdom [all of Blessed Memory], who voluntarily sacrificed themselves to save their Kingdom to reclaim its peace and harmony. These women which include love, bravery, strength, loyalty and faithfulness for their Kingdom at large. In the history of Nigeria, these women are regarded as Heroiness to have enhanced peace and the continuity of the existence of their Kingdom. Barrister Natasha has demonstrated these qualities since her sojourn into partisan politics. Natasha has single-handedly championed the struggle, that drew the attention of both Executive, the President and Legislators of the National Assembly, hitherto, her action prompted the National Assembly to convey joint session mainly to discuss on how Ajaokuta Steel Industry could be revitalized and commissioned.
Barrister Natasha has brought new concept and paradigm to the political space of Kogi Central, as referenced could also be drawn to her Novel style of immense personal and political courage. She is well known for her fearless character; she dosen’t care or look at the face of any one, especially when she is pursuing a genuine course that would benefit her people.
Natasha has been a pivotal figure with large followers in Ebira politics and Kogi state in general. Unarguably, the mere mention of her name to be among the contending candidate in Kogi Central, Kogi state in general, it sent shivers down the spines of other contestants.
Much as the people of Ebiraland now appreciate her commitment to their course, they are equally now desirous of having her return to her birthplace to represent them at the White House of the National Assembly, Senate, to give them a touch of the good stuff she is made of.
Ebiraland, no doubt, cannot take away the fact that we cannot afford to fail again politically. It is time now for our best women to step forward and be given the opportunity to help restore hope, discipline, harmony and progress to our fatherland, where our man fold completely failed to represent us credibly in elective positions. The first step, is to sensitized and mobilized aggressively in order to elect our seasoned women politicians into national, state and local government elective positions, come 2023/24 general elections.
Written By:
Idris Itopa Isah
Arewa Trust Newspaper, Abuja.
08035130045