From Yakubu Busari,Jos
Mrs Martina Hajara Kure.
A renowned female Journalist in Plateau state and a former Director of the Nigerian Institute for Journalism ,NIJ, Mrs Martina Hajara Kure has attributed the failure of women participation in politics to fear of physical attack by thugs, lack of resources and a free level playing field.
Mrs Kure made this disclosure during her consultation with the stakeholders and delegates in Jos, the state capital, who have indicated interest to vie for the by-election into the Jos North/ Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau state.
She said the poor participation of the Nigerian woman in politics has affected their otherwise massive contribution to the cultural and economic growth of the country and democracy.
Mr Hajara who wishes to contest on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, employed “women to overcome fear and demonstrate their interest in elective positions so as to reposition the country’s dwindling economic fortunes and fight insecurity which has bedeviled our peaceful nation.”
She said; “being a journalist, I have reported politics, I have analysis outside practice, I have realized that there is a vacuum created somehow by non-participation of women in politics.”
She stressed that this was her second time of eyeing and running for the same position. “I attempted the same position in 2019 but I could not make it and now this is a bye election to replace our late member Hon Haruna Maitala. I believe that I will succeed this time around.”
She identified insecurity and unemployment as the major problems plaguing the country and vowed that if given the opportunity she would present a blueprint on how to address youth restiveness in Nigeria.
Mrs Martina Hajara described the delegates as the voice of their people and urged them to vote wisely and vote for her as a mother who gave compassion to everyone of her child.
She said, “as a mother I’m willing to introduce legislation that can improve the wellbeing the unrepresented and the vulnerable people living with disabilities in Jos North/Bassa federal constituency.”
Hon Haruna Maitala, the member representing Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the National Assembly died in a fatal road crash on April 2, 2021.
