2023 Presidency: Female President or Vice-President in Nigeria? -Adesanya-Davies

2023: Over 250 PDP female aspirants vying for different positions

2023: I am now willing to concede as Vice President in 2023 at this point or contest as an Independent candidate -.Adesanya-Davies

A frontline female politician and presidential candidate of Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA) in 2019, Funmilayo Adesanya–Davies who first declared for the 2023 presidential bid but purposely declined was asked reasons why? She replied, first, the Form turned out not to be free for women as it was claimed, secondly, I simply backed out because of the increasing numbers of persons, l had thought it would be like 3-5 persons ONLY for the PDP Presidential screening ultimately as a consensus candidate emerges. Thirdly, as a woman, I am now willing to concede as Vice President in 2023 at this point or contest as an Independent candidate.

Adesanya-Davies continued,
“If for instance a woman is not made the Nigerian President in 2023, then a woman should unfailing be chosen as running to emerge as the Vice president, and I am willing to conceded that at this point,” -Adesanya-Davies

In a report by Queen Esther Iroanusi on Official, April 25, 2022, there were over 250 female aspirants now in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vying for different elective positions in the 2023 general elections. They are aspirants for presidency, governorship, senate, House of Representatives and state houses of assembly and are drawn from different states across the country.

The National Women Leader of the party, Stella Effah-Attoe, disclosed this when she met with the aspirants in Abuja on Monday. The figure, she noted, was made of aspirants who have filled and submitted their nomination forms.

The interactive meeting, which held at the PDP National Secretarial, was aimed at enhancing women’s participation in politics as well as creating avenues for female aspirants to win tickets and subsequently, elections at various levels.

In her welcome address, Ms Effah-Attoe said the meeting was necessitated by the desire to take the bull by the horns and ensure that the women do not only come out to participate in politics but participate meaningfully and win elections.

It also sought to allow aspirants and women leaders of the party to share ideas with veterans and tap from their wealth of experience and understand the pros and cons of women participation in politics with a view to proffering solutions.

She also hoped that the meeting will help the party plan for the future and monitor performance of women. While she urged women to take politics seriously like the men, the leader also stressed the need to identify ways to make more women emerge after the primaries.

A former PDP National Woman Leader, Josephine Anenih, urged the aspirants to do a soul-searching. Some aspirants, she said, get the nomination form because it is free, settle with other aspirants for juicy appointments, some get it for the sake of the title “aspirant”, while other get the forms to actually run and win. The first two categories give our struggle and party a bad name,” she said.

The aspirants were also asked to learn public speaking, seek funds and respect the local zoning arrangement in their areas or risk wasting the ticket. She also emphasised the importance of working with political gatekeepers like governors and state party chairmen and not just rely on the 35 per cent Affirmative Action to get more women into elective positions.

“If you are not qualified and nobody knows you in your place, you won’t get the seat you are looking for… The 35 per cent affirmative action we are clamouring for is not magic. We must work hard for it. Don’t give PDP a bad name by saying women are marginalised. If you are qualified you will be given a chance.

“You must learn to involve your local leaders and recognise them. Even if the chairman does not like you, there are people you know who he respects. Use them to get to him,” Mrs Anenih, a former Women Affairs Minister, said.

Speaking with journalists after the event, a female presidential aspirant, Teriela Diana, expressed confidence and determination to win the ticket and eventually, the main election in 2023. She however, frowned at the idea of zoning – a tradition, she described as unfair. “We have over 200 ethnic groups in this country and we are talking about zoning. When are you going to zone to over 200 ethnic groups. What policies are we putting in place…?”

At the end, aspirants were assured of the support of the party even as they were urged to attend political meetings regularly as part of the decision-making process.

PRINCESS Prof. Funmilayo
Adesanya-Davies answers further questions on similar issues with another correspondent:

QUESTION

In 2019, you aspired to become the president of Nigeria but your ambition did not come to fruition; how did that make you feel?

ANSWER

It’s doesn’t feel really good because I have a blue print for Nigeria. The agenda I always refer to as “ADVANCED RESTRUCTURING AGENDA’. But what could one do, it’s not a do or die affair, it’s a democratic process. The people must first believe and embrace the plan you have for them before you can execute it.

I am used to leaving behind my expectations if they not met. I also believe that there is perfect timing is everything. God’s time is the best and as such I don’t ever take things personally. I put in all my efforts, but I don’t look for perfection in all. Life is full of disappointments. Again, as we race towards the 2023 elections, stark inequalities have become more glaring than ever, as most women couldn’t afford to pay for the Expression of Interest Forms. This will lead to unsavoury consequences for our quality of life in general, particularly for women and children as the women are edged out of positions.

QUESTION

Your aspiration would have taught you a lot about women in politics in Nigeria, what are some of the things you learnt?

ANSWER

I have actually documented that experience in one of my books titled: ‘Women in African Politics: A venture into Politics at: https://www.amazon.com/WOMEN-AFRICAN-POLITICS-Politics-PRESIDENCY/dp/6138946219.’ My experience shows that, the problems of an African woman and by extension that of Nigerian woman in politics in summary, first is, that the women folks are being looked down upon. Second is the stereo typing of women to certain social roles in the society. Third, is the religious bias against women, especially in Northern Nigeria. Fourth no support from women to women. There are not enough HeForShe mobilisation for women support. There is no enough support from the Youths and no enough support from the men as women always support them, etc. What about funding? Politics is seriously about money and funding are denied women due to lack of trust they could win.

It is no longer news that direct correlations have been established between accelerated socioeconomic development in countries and high numbers of women holding political positions, both elective and appointive; and our beloved country is in dire need of this balance whether we acknowledge it or not.

QUESTION

Some people often say that politics is a dirty game and not one for a woman; to buttress that, President Muhammadu Buhari ones said that his wife belongs in the kitchen and the other room. Do you think comments like this affect women’s participation in politics?

ANSWER

Yes, such comments are undesirable and quite discouraging, but it’s not stopping the women folks, rather they are still moving on. For instance, there at least five-six Presidential Aspirant from various parties ready to contest the 2023 presidential election. Take a look at this website, for most of the aspirants, https://www.nigerianwomenaspirants.com/

QUESTION

Recently, the first lady urged politicians to ensure women are their running mates for elective offices; do you align with her statement or feel women can run these offices?

ANSWER

She is saying, in addition to their running for these offices. So, sure, I concur, that if Nigeria for instance, cannot produce Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, the former female President of Liberia, for now as the giant of Africa, they should at least be able to produce Kamala Harris, the first female and black president of the USA in the 2023 up coming elections, and this should be at various levels, such as presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial, etc.

QUESTION

What do you think can be done to draw more women into politics?

ANSWER

Women by nature could be passive and uninterested in matters that doesn’t directly concern them unless they are wedge in; especially in such fields, as politics. Necessary incentives, encouragement, organising of seminars and workshops towards enlightenment, etc., would be to draw them in.

QUESTION

What were your thoughts when you read about the rejection five gender equality bills that sought to alter the Constitution by the National Assembly?

ANSWER

I was sad and it was quite disturbing until we were told these bills would still be reconsidered again after the women’s protests. I was also glad we won the 35 percent affirmative action in court.

QUESTION

You got to the peak of your career as a professor, what made you venture into politics?

ANSWER

Yes, I have lectured in the University since 1985 to-date. My intention is to practicalize some of my Sociolinguistics lectures away from the four wall of the classroom and give back to the nation that made me. There is a wide gap between theory and practical as we all know, I’d thought it was not just enough teaching courses such as Language and National Development in the classroom alone, it was time for execution of all those learning and teaching experiences.

QUESTION

What were some of the high and low points you faced during your presidential aspiration?

ANSWER

Yeah, funding, travelling, discouragements from some friends and family members that politics is a dangerous game and there is no need to venture into the delicate zone and terrain for purposes of sanity and long life.

QUESTION

Some would ask, why not start small, probably a legislative post. Why presidency?

ANSWER

I have gathered enough academic and administrative expenses already and every past present of Nigeria so far were teachers…you will recall if we name them pls. Again, I believe I am destined to one day become the first female president of Nigeria and I went for the target as I had always said that, “I have a dream that one day a woman will become the president of Nigeria to transform and the dream is now”

QUESTION

What are your thoughts on the girl-child in Nigeria as well as the state of the nation today?

ANSWER

For now, I believe the girl-child is not yet fairly well positioned in the country, like thr theme of the this year’s International Women’s Days, there is the need to, “Break the Bias” when it comes to placement of the girl-child in the educational, social, political, religious and every other spheres.

QUESTION

There some intrigues in the 2023 elections. What are your thoughts and possible predictions.

ANSWER

I’ll like to reserve my comments on this question please, it’s too early. For instance on Presidential ticket alone, there 15 aspirants on the platform PDP and15 aspirants on the platform APC apart from the 15 aspirants from the rest parties, of which 6 are females.

The primaries are scheduled for between 4 April and 3 June 2022. The winners of the election to be inaugurated on 29 May 2023, the former date of Democracy Day. The Presidential Aspirants list so far include:
APC – 15
PDP – 15
ADC – 3
SDP – 3
PRP – 2
APGA – 1
Accord Party – 1
Labour Party – 1
NNPP – 1
YPP – 1.

While I strongly feel that the PDP will return back to power in 2023 as Nigerians are already fed up with the 8years of the APC trial and error federal government attempts, it too early to describe the power play and intrigues in the 2023 general elections.

QUESTION

What does it feel to think of stepping down inspict of your aspiration

ANSWER

Not too palatable at all.

QUESTION

Your last words please!

ANSWER

As I have said, that as a woman, I am now willing to concede Vice Presidential position in 2023 at this point, because if a woman is not made the Nigerian President in 2023, then a woman should unfailing be chosen as running to emerge as the Vice president… However, ultimately, I have a dream that one day a woman will become the president of Nigeria to transform and safe this nation.