History has shown a strong correlation between social and economic growth on the one hand and female leadership on the other. This is a possible explanation as to why more and more countries are deliberately adopting policies that would increase the number of women in leadership positions. 

Nigeria has signed and ratified various international instruments, treaties, conventions, covenants, and instruments. These instruments compel signatory countries to respect the dignity of all persons. This in turn implies building a society based on the principle of equality and respect for human dignity through the elimination of all forms of discrimination. 

Nigerian women have for long been side-lined, ignored, and neglected in leadership spaces irrespective of their several contributions, abilities, and capacity: making the call and demand for gender inclusion, and implementation of the 35% affirmative action policy paramount. In response to a lawsuit, in April 2022, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Federal Government of Nigeria to enforce the National Gender Policy by allotting 35 per cent of appointments in the public sector to women.

In Nigeria, no woman has ever been elected and completed a tenure as Governor, President, or Vice-President. The candidacy of the only woman who was ever elected to public office (Late Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan aka Mama Taraba (2016) was overturned. The only other woman who ever served as governor (Dame Virgy Etiaba 2006), did so on account of the impeachment of her boss. 

Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani is the second female Gubernatorial candidate in the history of Nigerian politics, and currently the only one.  She defeated 5 men to clinch the ticket in election primaries which though keenly contested, were declared free and fair by a large number of independent observers. Yet, despite this candidate’s stellar record and popular support, her mandate is being challenged and stands the risk of being jeopardized. 

In view of the above scenario, it is imperative that women in Nigeria rally around and raise their voices towards securing Aisha Dahiru Binani’s mandate as the Adamawa state APC Gubernatorial aspirant. 

We call on all well-meaning Nigerians, to sign this petition irrespective of political, religious affiliation and ethnic background. 

We call on the courts to overthrow the suit filed by Malam Nuhu Ribadu against Senator Binani’s candidature. 

Sign the Petition.