by Kolapo Olapoju

While the All Progressives Congress remains indecisive in its attempt to choose the next Senate President, Binta Masi Garba, a female senator-elect, has offered herself as a way out of the impasse.

Garba, who represents Adamawa north senatorial district on the platform of the APC, says she’s more than qualified to be elected Senate President, regardless of her gender.

While speaking with the United Kingdom arm of the APC, Binta made a case for her ambition:

“I will reduce poverty in Nigeria by setting legislative agenda such as free and compulsory schooling for the girl child.

“I have set three main legislative agenda, which I will pursue vigorously if elected. Education for the girl child, maternal care, which government must ensure is free from at least pregnancy to five years, and agriculture for women. I remain resolute that my antecedent and my pedigree are there.”

“I can stand the heat and I am qualified to lead the senate so whatever is zoned for the north-eastern part of Nigeria by our great party, I am going to beat it out with whoever is interested.” Asked if Nigerians are ready to have a female senate president.”

“This is the era of change and Nigerians are excited by my candidature. After going into the ‘jungle’ and one came out victorious and survived the entire trauma, is the person not qualified enough to vie for any position?”

“Margaret Thatcher did well to positively impact the economy in the United Kingdom and today, even after passing on, she is still remembered globally for her great tenure. Our voices must be heard; people need to understand that we are all equal in the eyes of the law. The constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria is not biased towards gender, and it has given every single Nigerian the fundamental right to aspire.”

“I have gone into the ‘jungle’ with other men and I came out victorious – at least [it was] the seating governor I contested with and God almighty was so faithful and merciful to me and I came out victorious – obviously I think I am better qualified and I have a lot of things that I can offer Nigerian people that will give them the confidence and reassurance that change indeed has come and has come to stay for good.”

“If I can do well acting as the chair-person of a political party whilst in opposition and was able to deliver three senators, six house of representative members and a governor and we came out and elected the president-elect with 123,000 votes against the incumbent, then I think I am better qualified for the senate president post.”

“There are women who performed well and their integrity was intact and there are those that probably brought the standard and the integrity of women to ridicule where corruption has been the order of the day. I am not a corrupt person. I have been tested and tried and I think I can raise my head up that I am not among the women in quote.”