Group collaborates UN, Canadian Embassy to mentor female candidates on 2023 elections

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

As the 2023 general election approaches, the women advocate research and documentation centre, (WARDC) in collaboration with UN Women, and Canadian Embassy, have drawn women candidate from six Northwestern states that include Jigawa Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara for a two-day Coaching and mentoring for elections process.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna, the Executive Director, of Women Advocate, Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr Abiola Akiode Afolabi, said “this programme is being supported by UN Women and Canadian Embassy aimed at promoting mentoring and coaching of female candidates across Nigeria.

He further explained, “this becomes necessary because we realized that there is a need for female candidates to have the right information to help them succeed at their fingertips because a lot has changed about the election since the passage of the new electoral law.

Dr Afolabi maintained the need to understand how BIVAS works, how to ask the right questions, how to raise funds, and political party campaigns, among others, are very sacrosanct.

“We have brought those that were elected before to share their experiences with all the female candidates here present. For example, there are over 180 members of the state houses of assemblies in the Northwest. Only one woman is in the house in Kaduna and that is a huge gap. The women must be equipped, ready and have an understanding of what they want to do”, he said.

In an interview with some of the participants, Hajiya Halima Zubairu Danbatta who is contesting for Kano State House of assembly for Danbatta Constituency under the platform of the people democratic party, PDP, said, “we have benefitted immensely with this mentoring and Coaching programme, we have learnt a lot of knowledge, that we can put in place during our campaigns”.

“This programme is an avenue to enlighten us more about the whole campaign process that can be used during their electioneering campaigns with new strategies taught by various facilitators”, she said.

Adding however that, “if elected, l will initiate some bills that will enhance the well-being of Women and Youths in Kano State because there is a need for women to be participating in politics because there are some set of laws that only women can bring before any house of assembly. So if elected, l will do my best to uplift Women and Youths in my Constituency through women and Youths empowerment programmes”, she said.

Speaking at the event, Rashida Musa Na’Allah, who is making effort to represent the Dauko Wasagu constituency, Kebbi State House of Assembly under ADC, is banking on her popularity and acceptability to win the forthcoming election to address education issues associated with insecurity in the state.

“We are having a lot of security problems that are taking their toll on our education. The truth is there cannot be impactful learning in an environment that is characterized by insecurity. So, if elected, I will take it upon myself through legislation until there is a change because education is key”, she said.

Adamilo Yakubu, who is also eyeing the seat of Chikun Constituency at the Kaduna State House of Assembly, under the Action Democratic Party (ADP), believed that with God and the support of her constituents especially the youths, she would emerge victorious in the coming election.

“As a young and vibrant lady, I want to take the space we have entrusted into the hands of some people for a long time with little or nothing to show for that trust. It may interest you to know that it was people around me that bought the form to contest this election, and I promise not to disappoint them if elected”, she said.

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