Dr. Abimbola Ajayi Ojora is the former Lagos State Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship aspirant. In this interview with IBRAHIM ADAM, she speaks about the marginalisation of women in politics and other partisan issues.
What led to your withdrawal from the governorship race in the Alliance for Democracy (AD)?
The action of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) was nothing short of manipulation of the highest order. The responsibility of any credible party is to conduct a free and fair primary where there is more than one aspirant for a position. However, when a primary session is conducted in the absence of eligible aspirants is an attempt to side line other aspirant(s); then the exercise is a manipulation; has no credibility; not free nor fair. This was what AD did. Where a so-called primary was conducted and I as an aspirant (my letter of intent duly accepted by the party), paid substantial amount to the party and spent a lot of money on my campaign, including acquisition of a befitting campaign secretariat was side lined in an orchestrated primary, then it is nothing but manipulation. Unfortunately, I later learnt that this is the trade mark of the National Leader of AD.
Does it mean the party doesn’t want a female aspirant or what did you see as the main problem?
Well, like I later learnt, the party had its hidden agenda all along. It was unfortunate that I was rather too trusting, particularly of the National Chairman and the State Chairman. Their hidden agenda is gradually unfolding. I believe that both leaders from the onset were simply stringing me along to milk me and members of my campaign organisation for all they could get. It actually was later learnt from one of them that they couldn’t have fielded a woman. In other words, their problem seemed to be because I am a woman. Though, that would have been there best leg forward, if they ever had any intention of going to the polls in the first place.
Are you withdrawing from politics?
Not at all. Nigeria is my country and together we will salvage it. The leadership of AD that deceived me only goes to prove the depth of insincerity, deceit and dishonesty in the land. Much is expected from our leadership, particularly as role models, but integrity, truth, credibility and justice seem to be in scarcity in the land. It would have been expected of me to run for cover, given the way the leadership of AD treated me. But, the Almighty God who led me into this race is and has been my strength, my guide, my fortress and my influence. If my decision to join the political terrain had been only humanly guided, I might have been bitterly discouraged. But, I was called into this by God, through whom I have understood that “when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rules, the people groan.” By God’s grace, I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. My coming into the political terrain of my beloved country is to create an environment where Nigerians once again will rejoice, young or old; male or female. And by God’s grace, I am not relenting. I see a Nigeria, where there are genuine smiles on the faces of all.
How does your husband feel about your involvement in politics?
My husband has always been supportive in every good thing I have ever ventured into, and politics is not an exception. As a matter of fact, he was the one that reminded me that he had always noticed my passion for the welfare of people in general and politics in particular since we met 31 years ago. He is not a politician, nor does he understand much about politics, but he nevertheless encourages and supports me always, financially and otherwise. I thank him, our children and our extended family so much. When you have a supportive family, both nuclear and extended, the political battle for a woman is half won.
Do you see a female aspirant emerging the President or governor in the future?
Oh yes! Soon and very soon, the role of a woman in today’s politics cannot be underestimated and neither can it be enmeshed in the mud. The role of women in all spheres of life is that of balance. Life, be it national life, family life or corporate life is moderated by both male and female perspectives on issues, without which there would be no balance. In nations where this balance is adequately appreciated, women are contributing their quota in managing the affairs of their land. Female-led national leadership are increasing around the globe, as can be seen in Liberia, Germany, Argentina, Bangladesh, Malta, Switzerland, South Korea, just to name but a few. It is therefore in the best interest of Nigeria to make available the enabling environment, rather than paying lip service to equitable integration of women in every spheres of nation building, particularly in elective posts.
What is your advice to women who are being marginalised in politics?
All women, young or old, particularly young adolescent girls, young women and older women, should know that their participation in the governance of their land is their civic responsibility. We have the numerical strength, we have a unique and peculiar perspective to life issues. Nigeria, as an entity, is an obvious example. I lay it bare that, if there has been an equal representation of women in the administration and management of the country, Nigeria would have been singing a different tune by now. Women are always used and dumped or given tokens to silence them, whereas we are the backbone of almost all structures of human existence and subsistence. We are the ones men use for grassroots mobilisation. So, if we decide to support just one of us we know what the result will be, money or no money, rigging or no rigging. More women should therefore present themselves for elective positions. Nigeria polity should de-emphasise money in our politics, so that truthful, honest, intelligent, capable and credible women can present themselves for elective leadership positions in our nation.
