Hon. Ta Sallah Fati Ibrahim is a graduate of English from Bayero University, Kano (BUK). She had been a teacher for several years before she took to Journalism and worked with the Radio Niger rising to the position of Deputy Comptroller News. She diched the pen profession for politics and served as a member of the Niger State House of Assembly from 2003-2007 after which she served as a Senior Adviser to the former Governor of the state, Engineer A. Abdulkadir Kure.
Presently serving as Special Assistant on Social Security Matters to Governor Babangida Aliyu, Hon. Ta Sallah explains why she wants to represent Shiroro, Rafi and Munya Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in 2011 in this interview with Maryam Garba Hassan.
Why are you aspiring for the House of Representatives?
Having served in the state House of Assembly and worked closely with two Governors, Engineer Kure and the Chief Servant of Niger, Dr Aliyu Babangida as their aide, Ibelieve I know much about the problems and needs of my people especially at the grass roots.
Secondly, the men who have been representing these three local governments that make up my constituency are not living up to our expectation because their impact has not been felt much by the people. That is why this time around we want a woman to go there and do something tangible.
What can you offer?
I have been a politician for years and I am still not fulfilled. My people still yearn for quality representation and I feel that I can give them that if given the chance to serve at the national level.
Secondly, the people of Niger are lucky to have a Governor who has the interest of women at heart as he encourages them to come out enmasse to contest. It may interest you to know that at the moment, the state has the highest number of women commissioners, permanent secretaries and Advisers to the Chief Servant in the country. In the State House of Assembly, we have four women unlike the previous regime where I was the only woman.
The First Lady, Hajiya Jummai Babangida Aliyu is currently on a tour of the 27 local government areas in the state to campaign for more women participation in politics as urged by the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs Dame Patience Jonathan, during the Summit on women in politics held in Abuja recently.
Tell us your experience in the political terrain when you contested elections?
As a politician, I have come to realise that there are a lot of lessons to be learnt in politics. As an only female member of the state House of Assembly I faced lots of challenges which I considered as lessons. I like challenges because they spur me to action and I was not deterred a bit even during elections while facing the male counterparts and their different ways of intimidation.
Initially, I contested the chairmanship of my local government but did not win the election. I still forged ahead with determination and encouragement from my husband who is also a politician and the unalloyed support I get from my people.
What are your chances of winning this time around?
My experience in the past is channelling me through and the mistakes I made will be corrected, the lessons I learnt will be put to better use more so as I am going to face three local governments now and six male counterparts. I know it is not going to be easy but by the grace of God I am ready as I have gone through the right channels. I am not discouraged and from the look of things, I have a very good chance of winning.
How would you deal with the issue of sponsorship?
When you are going into politics you don't put in mind that you want some body to back you financially but if it comes along the way, fine and good and if it doesn't that is it. You need money in politics not to share to people but for logistics. You need to move around with people and that is where the issue of money comes in.
What are your dreams and aspirations?
I have my people at heart and I intend giving them quality representation through improving their standard of living. Life in both rural and urban areas can not be complete without basic amenities such as portable drinking water, electricity, good hospitals, roads and schools. I will borrow from the experiences of the likes of Hon.Saudatu Sani, representing Lere Federal constituent of Kaduna state and Hon. Binta Garba Masi, who has served as Member House of Representatives twice under different platforms, first in Kaduna and now Adamawa.
In what ways have you impacted on women?
Empowering women is a priority to me as a leader and that was what I have focused on as member of the state House of Assembly. I encouraged women to form cooperative societies where they can get loans from banks to start businesses. On my own, I have given capital to women to start small scale businesses to empower them.
What is your advice to female politicians?
We should resist the temptation of using thugs during elections, be focused and not to feel intimidated. Rather, women should get a formula to intimidate their male counterparts. In my case, I used heavily built and fierce looking men to go with me during campaigns; this kept away men who would want to intimidate me throughout the election period.
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