Would a woman want a fellow female Nigeria's president?

On November 8 Americans rejected their best chance to elect a woman as their country’s first female president.

They failed to go the path of countries such as Liberia, Germany and the United Kingdom, which are currently ruled by women – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Angela Merkel and Theresa May respectively.

In the past there have been notable female leaders such as Golda Meir of Israel, Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto, Indira Ghandi (India) and Margaret Thatcher in the UK.

Nigeria, like many other countries in the world, is yet to have a female president. Since independence in 1960 only men have governed the country. And they have not done a very good job. Their failure prompted renowned writer Chinua Achebe to state that the trouble with Nigeria was “simply and squarely a failure of leadership.”

Some women have shown ambition to be president of Nigeria but have always fallen short. The most prominent among them is Mrs Sarah Jubril who contested the 2003 presidential elections under the Progressive Action Congress. Out of the 15 candidates she came sixth, with 0.40% of the votes cast even though women account for 51% of the country’s voting population.

She also contested the PDP presidential primaries three times. However, she didn’t make much impact. An angry Mrs Jubril did not understand why her “constituency” deserted her.

“I sympathize with the ignorance of the women which is till now affecting the conscience of women in Nigeria,” she said. “Why are the womenfolk using the media to call me serial contestant sarcastically? I have forgiven them.”

Nigerian women have excelled in various areas of endeavour and many have risen to the top of their profession through diligence, hard work and commitment. Yet they seem to hit a brick wall when it comes to politics at the highest level.

So far, the highest political office a woman has occupied in Nigeria is Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mrs Patricia Etteh held it for just four months before allegations of corruption swept her out of power.

Like Sarah Jubril inferred, are women their own worst enemy? How many Nigerian women would actually support a fellow woman to hold the highest office in the land?

This blog did a poll to find out what women think about their own.

Excerpts:

Esther

Yes I agree that it is about time Nigeria had a female president. Women have excelled in various fields, including those that were hitherto regarded as the exclusive preserve of men. There are female pilots, engineers, doctors and even taxi drivers. So why can’t we have a female president, especially when the men have messed up so badly?

Padi

If the people are ready, any nation inclusive of Nigeria could have a female president. We all know women handle any establishment without sentiment. But just be ready to have a Buhari times five. She will be extremely strict, firm and ready to work. And she will plug all the corruption loopholes.

Adaobi

 Even “small” Liberia has a female president and Nigeria, the giant of Africa, has not even come close to getting one. We have never even had a female vice president. Sarah Jubril contested a few times but never came close to winning because men will not give her a chance.

Funke

I don’t mind who is president. I’m a woman but I won’t vote for a woman just for the fun of it. I will only vote if I believe that she is competent and I know that there are several women in Nigeria who can do the job but somehow they have failed to come out. We don’t even have a female governor in this country.

Mercy

Yes I will vote for a woman but so far there has been no prominent female candidate. I believe the time is ripe for a female president. I don’t think a woman will tolerate corruption the way men have. You know, for women, their word is their bond. And a woman will use her motherly instinct to govern this country well, for the betterment of the masses, not just the ruling class.

Roseline

Nigeria really needs a female president. Some people say women are difficult when they get to positions of power but I disagree. I believe that those who complain are the people who see that with a woman in power it cannot be business as usual.

 Favour

Let God give us His heart's desire. But I think it’s easier for a man to rule. Only a few women are born leaders and they are not easy to come by. Most of them want to remain silent.

Joy

 I will not vote for a woman. Many of them are very good professionally but exhibit iron will which sometimes border on tyranny. Politics is about give and take and many women, especially the high achievers, don’t know how to give an inch especially if they feel they are right. Remember the case of Prof Alele-Williams as Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN. Her unbending style dragged the institution through serious turmoil.

Grace

My honest opinion is that it depends on the person. I don't think it’s a gender thing. Though I think a strong female president will be a fresh breath. Allison Maduekwe (former Petroleum Resources Minister) did nothing, but Okonjo-Iweala (Finance Minister) did a lot. And we all remember what Dora Akunyili did at NAFDAC. Her exploits were unprecedented. So it depends.

Edith

I fear female leadership especially in a corrupt Nigeria. Men are more logical. A woman may tackle problems with her emotions and that will make her prone to errors. I once worked in an organisation that was dominated by women. It was not funny. I was given all sorts of crazy assignments that were far beyond my job scope.

Genevieve

No need to bother my head. We can't have a female president in this country. QED.

Peace

Women are easily intoxicated with power. They are not designed for headship.

Grace

I would love Nigeria to have a female president because women are kind and compassionate and not corrupt as men. Women feel the pains of the economic crunch and would develop the real sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, science and technology. Women are strict and would not hesitate to flush out corrupt officials at all levels. Moreover, they would fight crimes against women. For example, a female president would have ensured that the Chibok girls returned safely shortly after they were abducted.

Rose

Yes, I’d definitely support a female president because most women in leadership positions are disciplined, considerate and God-fearing. The same way they are able to keep the home running irrespective of circumstances is shown in any position they take up. You know we're emotional beings and can't bear to see people suffering.

Julia

Research from reputable publications like Forbes, Harvard Business Review and Business Insider has proved women to be better leaders. Women are more detailed, focused and better at driving key objectives. So if we apply the same principle in politics, governance should work. Though women may be more forceful, in the end they will get the job done. I say a definite yes to a female president.

There you have it. Women are split. There is no guarantee that a female candidate will get bloc votes from women just because they are of the same gender. The candidate will need to have qualities that will endear her not just to women, but to men as well.