Umar Mustapha, the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Adamawa State, told Hindi Livinus about his decision to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Aishatu Binani, and whether she could become the first elected female governor in northern Nigeria.
When asked if he had joined the APC or remained a Labour Party member, Mustapha explained that the Labour Party had recently withdrawn any support they had for him, a move he welcomed because he owed them nothing. He noted that, since joining the party, he had financed its activities in the state and helped build its structure. “The Labour Party is not so formidable that I would regret losing or keeping myself away from it,” he said, adding that he had formally withdrawn from the party and would notify the Independent National Electoral Commission. He has not declared a return to the APC; instead, he has dissolved his own campaign structure to bolster Binani’s candidacy, aiming to create a strong team capable of challenging the incumbent PDP government.
Mustapha acknowledged that defeating Governor Ahmadu Fintiri is a daunting task. “He has all the resources at his disposal and the machinery of the governorship,” he said. “If we run separately, we will split the vote, which is exactly what he wants.” He and Binani independently concluded that a united front was necessary, and after informal discussions facilitated by mutual contacts, they quickly agreed to merge their efforts to give the PDP a serious fight.
Regarding negotiations with Binani, Mustapha emphasized that his decision was driven by the state’s interest, not personal gain. He clarified that his campaign team and supporters would have their structures folded into Binani’s, forming a joint committee to achieve their shared objectives. “I didn’t do it to receive an appointment or money,” he asserted, noting that any remuneration he might expect would be beyond Binani’s capacity. He also acted on behalf of Labour Party members in the House of Assembly, arranging for those confident of winning to continue their campaigns, while others would step down in favor of APC candidates and potentially receive appointments after the election. He stressed that no monetary inducements were involved in his own case.
When questioned about betraying the Labour Party, Mustapha admitted that some close allies expressed disappointment. However, he argued that contesting an election he could not win would be futile for both himself and Binani. “The governor has all the resources and a powerful presidential candidate backing him,” Mustapha said. “The only way to bridge that gap is to unite.”
Addressing the broader issue of a woman winning a governorship in northern Nigeria, Mustapha acknowledged past cultural and religious taboos but noted that the current scenario changes the narrative. “People now see Binani not because she’s a woman but because she’s a viable candidate,” he explained. He pointed out that Governor Fintiri already has a female deputy governor who can assume duties when needed, which, under Islamic law, would also be problematic. “If you have two evils, you choose the lesser evil,” he said.
Mustapha believes the North is gradually becoming ready for a female governor, citing shifting attitudes across Nigeria and Africa as societies move beyond unsustainable taboos. He criticized the current administration for underperforming despite receiving roughly N600 billion from statutory allocations, Paris Club refunds, internally generated revenue, and other interventions. “If you inject about N400 billion into our economy, the impact should be visible,” he argued, adding that political promises tied to projects meant for public benefit are inappropriate.
Finally, Mustapha highlighted Senator Binani’s track record and said her governance plan would combine his ideas with hers to promote socio‑economic development in Adamawa State. “Before the merger, we discussed my priorities, and she welcomed them,” he concluded, expressing confidence that their joint platform would bring much‑needed progress to the state.
Comments are closed for this story.