Aisha: Breaking the jinx

When the Taraba State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal nullified the victory of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 11, 2015, election and declared his opponent from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajiya Aisha Jummai Alhassan winner, it changed the history of Nigerian politics. As many will say, it […]

When the Taraba State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal nullified the victory of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 11, 2015, election and declared his opponent from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajiya Aisha Jummai Alhassan winner, it changed the history of Nigerian politics.
As many will say, it is the first time a woman will contest a governorship election, challenge the election result and proceed to defeat the governor at the tribunal.
Many women activists have described the victory as a victory for women, saying that it has debunked the belief that only the men are good enough to govern.
Yahaya Isa, who worked with Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, now the minister of women affairs and social development, when she was at the Abuja High Court as the chief registrar, said that she has qualities of a leader and relates well with people.
He said: “She believes in empowering you instead of giving fish, she teaches you how to fish, a lot of those who worked with her are better for it today. If someone like her goes into any government house, the people of that state will never regret it.
“Apart from her political finesse, she is truly a mother. But she is equally disciplined, a no nonsense person, if she corrects you it does not mean that she pushes you aside, no. She forgives you and brings you close.”
Hauwa Shekarau, country representative of IPAS and the president of FIDA (Federation of Women Lawyers), said that the victory of Hajiya Aisha Jummai Alhassan at the tribunal was long awaited by most women activist because “it is now time for women to make history,” adding: “If she wins at the Court of Appeal, then, she will indeed be the first duly elected female governor, and that will be one event that all women groups and activists will look forward to with excitement.
“Hajiya Aisha Alhassan has indeed broken the jinx, and this has paved the way for other women to dream and jump higher, because before it looked quite impossible for a woman to win in politics in Nigeria, due to the male dominance and intimidations. But now, we know we can get there.
“Her victory is not just for herself, family or her party but her victory is for all women, she has indeed made us proud.”
This notion is shared by some political analysts who say that Aisha has proven political prowess.
Being the first female senator from her state, some said she lived up to expectation and gained for herself the title, “Mama Taraba”, when during her time in the Senate she launched several empowerment programmes for men, women and physically challenged persons.
On her part the president of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ifeyinwa Omowole, said that Aisha has shown that it pays to serve ones country saying: “To whom much is given much is expected.
“we are keenly awaiting the outcome of the Appeal Court, and we pray that they will uphold the decision of the tribunal because we, women, know that when she performs well and is successful, we can beat our chest and history will be made.
“We have only had a female governor in an acting capacity, which is quite different from a duly elected governor. This is an eye opener for other women out there that they can achieve a lot, if they put their minds to it.
“It actually came as a breadth of fresh air, because we women were not happy with the lopsided appointment made by President Muhammed Buhari with very few women in his cabinet, so this is actually a plus for Nigeria and the APC.”
Malam Musa Hamza, an entrepreneur in the FCT, said that the reason why Alhassan was successful was simply because she persevered and never lost sight of her goal.
He said: “Most women give up immediately when they encounter difficulties, they allow external factors and elements to influence them, and how then will they succeed? Aisha is a different matter.
“She is focused, determined and serious minded and above all she has her own money, which she made to build her career. You know being a lawyer gives her an edge because she understands knows her right.”
Moji Makanjoula, a renowed producer and woman activist who has always been known to champion the rights of women, said that the victory of Aisha has shown that women can do better than just support men.
Her words: “This is a landmark achievement, and indeed a paradigm shift from the norm, it has only shown that what a man can do a woman can do better, without violence but within the tenets of the law.
“It has gotten to that time that Nigerians across boards support women and create a level playing field for them to reach their full potentials and Nigeria will be better for it. This has proven that there are a lot of Aishas out there who have something to offer.
“Though we have 36 states in Nigeria, only one state has been able to produce a governor, but we are hopeful because change has come. Even though is slow we will definitely get there, God willing.”