As we all know, this is a period of democracy. Since transitioning to civil rule in 1999, the country has continued to practise democracy which is the most popular system of government globally.
However, since the adoption of democracy as a system of government in Nigeria in 1960, no woman ever held the position of the president in Nigeria. This is despite the contributions of the womenfolk to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. Women like their male counterparts participate in elections and campaigns every election period.
I observe with dissatisfaction that all our major political parties nominate men all the time as their presidential candidates as if the women have no stake in elections.
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At times, I wonder why a woman can’t be allowed to enter the presidential race. Since our independence in 1960, no woman has been given the chance to become the president and I think our great nation is making a mistake.
Firstly, if Nigeria has a woman as its president, there are many advantages the nation stands to benefit from that.
One of such benefits is that she will be honest because women are known for long with honesty. If we have an honest president, we are on the part of economic growth and development as corruption has for long remained the bane of our development as a sovereign country.
Some of the women who are presidents in some countries proved to the world that what a man can do, women can do as well or even better. Example of such outstanding women presidents are those of Argentina Christiana Fernandez Kirchner, that of Brazil Dilma Roussef etc.
They are women of virtues, respect and integrity as I am of the view that if they are not doing well in their nations, their citizens would have removed them or asked them to resign because white men do not toy with incompetence, corruption and ineptitude. We have seen many instances when some world leaders resigned as a result of their actions and inactions.
Nigeria can emulate from those nations and give women a chance to rule. I am optimistic that if a woman emerges as president, she will do her best to prove that women are capable. Only leaders with zeal and passion always succeed.
Naturally, women are very compassionate. So If Nigeria has a female President, she will feel obliged to improve the plights of the poor and groom our children such that they will have better lives and be good leaders of tomorrow.
Child abuses, street begging and illiteracy will be over and Almajiris will be rehabilitated. It is worthy of note that women as mothers cannot let our children down. They will give them sound education and better welfare.
At this juncture, I will like to set another agenda for the next potential Nigerian female president. If elected, endeavour to end Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and unite the countrymen. These problems are endemic and the past presidents did not tackle them once and for all.
By Nabila Ado Ghali, department of Mass Communication
Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi
