International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has said that the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the last general elections in Taraba, Hajiya Aisha Jummai Alhassan should be given the chance to govern the state if she merits it.

Chairperson of FIDA in Kogi, Falilat Musa, spoke against the backdrop of the tribunal judgement which nullified the election of Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State and returned Aishs as duly elected governor.

She maintained that Nigerian women should be accorded the same political rights at all levels just as their male counterparts so as to engender more women participation in politics.

“When we talk about violence against women or women being marginalized, we are not just over-flogging the matter. In this type of scenario, if she (Aisha) merits it and the tribunal says she won, then she should be allowed tp govern”, she said.

“I think Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, aka, ‘Mama Taraba’ should be given the opportunity, because she is equal to the task. She is a very intelligent woman and I know she can do it. We should allow her and give kudos to women that have made marks in politics including those that are serving as deputy governors”, she said.

She lamented that women are often relegated to the background as they hardly attain any significant political height apart from being ‘women leader’
” And even when they are made women leaders, it is usually to serve as grassroots mobilizers for the men folks.
Women should not just to reduce to the position of clapping hands”, she added.

She noted that Aisha is on the verge of setting a record of becoming the first female governor in Nigeria, adding that what is needed at this time is to support her and not to find ways of pulling her down.

On the low level of women participation in Nigeria’s politics, the FIDA chairperson attributed it largely to violence against women and stereotyping of women that venture into politics.

“There is a strong link between violence against women and their participation in politics. We should as much as possible stop violence against women to encourage their participation in politics”, she said.

Source: Sun News