By Saad Umar
“Behind every great man, there stands a woman.”
The title of this piece is inspired by Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States of America. During his 1992 presidential campaign, Clinton declared to American voters that if they elected him, America would have “two presidents for the price of one”.
Clinton made that declaration because of a certain woman behind him who would help him in piloting the affairs of the state. A woman more than qualified to be the president of the United States. That woman was his wife Hilary. Hilary has many gifts. She is well-educated, highly intelligent, wise and politically savvy. Indeed, after the election, Hilary used her gifts to help Clinton to become one of the greatest American presidents.
In this election, APC is presenting Air Marshal Sadique, the best candidate ever to vie for the governor of Bauchi State. Like Clinton, Sadique has a wonderful woman standing behind him: she is Sadiya Umar Farouk. Sadiya is more than Hilary. Hilary and Sadiya share many attributes. Both are self-made, highly successful and hard-working. In their successful careers, both held many public offices including ministerial appointments. Hillary held the office of the United States Secretary of States. (Minister of foreign affairs). Sadiya is the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.
Like Hilary, sadiya will help Sadique to become the best governor of Bauchi, if elected. Indeed, Sadiya would do even better given that she has a better role model in the person of Khadijah, wife of the Prophet (saw). For those who are new converts, who just started praying, here’s a word or two concerning Khadijah: Khadijah was a woman. Yes a woman. Yet, she was the rock behind the best and perfect of human beings (saw). She was wealthy, way wealthier than many men, merchants of Makkah. In that woman,
the Prophet sought and got support, comfort, warmth, reassurance, wise advice, loyalty, riches and much more. Subhanallah! Here’s the Prophet – the best of Allah’s creation – yet he leant on a woman (ra).
Sadiya has learnt from Khadijah and is going to support Sadique as the governor of Bauchi just as she is now during the campaigns. Apart from Khadijah, Sadiya has other role models that she’s religiously copying from: the other wives the Prophet married after the death of Khadijah – Ummu Salama and A’ishah – excellent women who were actively involved in political affairs of the State, during and after the demise of the Prophet. They, may Allah be pleased with them, served as Prophet’s aides, advisors, consultants, consorts and supporters.
Ummu Salama, was relied upon for her intelligence, wisdom and political sagacity. She played a key role during the Treaty of Hudaibiya, a major political and diplomatic event. She served as the advisor to the Prophet during the negotiations of the Treaty.
After the signing of the Treaty, the Prophet instructed his companions to offer their sacrifices and shave they wavered. Worried, the Prophet consulted Ummu Salama. She advised the Prophet to go out and make his sacrifice and have his head shaved. He did. On seeing the Prophet all the companions followed suit. Action speaks louder than words.
A’ishah was influential in religious matters and politics. She’s renowned for her political skills and intelligence. She actively participated in political affairs of the State, particularly during the reign of the four Caliphs. In particular, Umar used to consult her seeking political advice at various times. And, following the assassination of Uthman (ra) A’ishah led an army of men, including companions, to the Battle of the Camel. What could be more political than war.
There are lessons to be learnt in the lives of Khadijah, Ummu Salama and A’ishah – Mothers of the believers: Women, best of women have a record of political participation in all civilizations, certainly, in Islamic civilization. Men, best of men sought and received spousal support in politics and economics in particular. Reliance on one’s spouse for support, material or otherwise does not diminish the standing of the husband.
Women can be leaders in their own right. These lessons attack the PDP’s toxic masculinity, misogyny and the war on women, especially successful women like Sadiya, the spouse of Sadique. They have been shamelessly attacking Sadiya for supporting Sadique, her spouse. Surely, In her support of Sadique, she is in good company. Company of the best of women: Khadijah, A’isha and Ummu Salama. Wa hasuna ula’ika rafiqa. And Sadiya is the best of them all, the most successful, compassionate and generous. She is better than all their wives.
In fact, not only their wives and concubines, Sadiya has a better academic qualifications than all the governorship candidates. Sadiya holds BSc, MSc and MBA degrees from the prestigious ABU Zaria. Qaura holds a bachelor of arts degree in English from University of Maiduguri. Halliru Jika barely manages an HND from Kaduna polytechnic as listed on the INEC list of governorship candidates. Only her husband, Sadique, matched her academic qualifications. Sadique has a master’s degree in strategic studies from University of Ibadan and a political science degree from University of Maiduguri in addition to his military credentials. Furthermore, Sadiya fares better than the candidates in terms of her civil service records.
Even Qaura won’t come close. His was soiled and ended in prosecution and Kuje jail. Sadiya was an administrator at the National Assembly Service Commission, a federal commissioner and now a cabinet minister since 2019. Similarly, Sadiya is the most experienced in her political career. She was the treasurer and member of the national executive committees of both the APC and CPC. And, In 2015, Sadiya successfully served as the director of election planning and monitoring of the APC presidential campaign council. If Sadiya is by far better than the candidates running against her husband, Sadique is even better than
her. Hence, it’s needless to compare them with Sadique.
For Bauchi, Sadique is the best; he is better than Qaura and the rest. That is why we should vote for him. If we vote for Sadique we will get Sadiya standing behind him for good, like Khadijah, Aisha and Ummu Salama behind the Prophet, and like Hilary behind Clinton. So, Bauchi buy one and get one free. Be right behind APC. Vote Sadique. Vote APC.
Saad, a lawyer, is the Deputy Chairman of APC Publicity Committee.
