Ex-Kano rep: Men allow women to join politics but deny them elective positions
A former member of the House of Representatives from Kano state, Hajiya Azumi Namadi Bebeji, has alleged that men encourage the participation of women in politics, but deny them the chance to be elected. The ex-lawmaker who represented Kiru/Bebeji constituency in the fifth assembly said this at the 2026 Strategic Mentorship Interactive Session with female […]
A former member of the House of Representatives from Kano state, Hajiya Azumi Namadi Bebeji, has alleged that men encourage the participation of women in politics, but deny them the chance to be elected.
The ex-lawmaker who represented Kiru/Bebeji constituency in the fifth assembly said this at the 2026 Strategic Mentorship Interactive Session with female university students organized by the Center for Gender Studies (CGS), Bayero University Kano.
She told the students: “You can be one of the best candidates, but when it comes to elections, it’s another ball game. Men allow participation but deny women the chance to win. They clap for you when you join, but when it comes to giving you the mandate, they shut the door. This is what I don’t understand up to now.”
Bebeji urged the students to remain resilient despite the barriers, saying women must not only participate but insist on being elected into positions of influence.
“We need our elders, our parents, and our communities to encourage women not just to contest but to win. Until then, politics will remain an uneven playing field,” she added.
Earlier, Director of the center, Dr. Safiya Ahmad Nuhu, said the mentorship program was designed to confront this systemic exclusion and prepare female students for leadership.
“When you talk about sustainable development, it is development that leaves no one behind. Yet women are consistently left behind, in leadership, entrepreneurship, governance, and especially politics. Their voices add value, they bring fresh perspectives, and they enrich decision-making. But without confidence, skills, and capacity, they are pushed aside,” she explained.
She stressed that the program aims to build competencies and confidence among young women.
“We want to see women who are committed, dedicated, and bold enough to take up space. Politics is not a men-only affair. Women must be equipped to challenge the structures that exclude them,” she said.
The Director added that the project is being sponsored by Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and co-funded by the European Union and trains 24 women every year in leadership and governance.
On her part, the Program Manager of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in Nigeria, Angela Oda, said the project specifically targets female students because of Nigeria’s patriarchal culture.
“Girls are discouraged from political affairs, but it is vital to inspire them to aspire to leadership and success in life. Politics is seen as the mainstay of men, but women must be encouraged to break that barrier,” she noted.