…Recalls how she overcame fear of political violence

By Josephine Agbonkhese

Having been served the best of education from the best schools both in Nigeria and A former lawmaker, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa (OON) needs no introduction. Mama Bakassi, as she is fondly called for her fight for the people of Bakassi in Cross River State, she is one of the few Nigerian women who have risen above the odds limiting women in the political terrain .

In this interview, the one-time Special Adviser to the Presidency on National Assembly Matters speaks against affirmative action for women in government and bares her mind on the call for restructuring amongst sundry issues.

Florence Ita Giwa

In spite of growing agitations from everywhere, what do you envision for Nigeria?

My dream is to see a strong, united Nigeria; one that is totally devoid of ethnic rivalry. I want to see a more economically viable country in which poverty is eradicated because once everybody is united and given a sense of belonging, I can say these agitations will be greatly reduce.

Looking at Nigeria in the last 57 years, how would you rate the inclusion of women in governance?

It has improved tremendously but we still need a lot more. I believe in us complimenting the men. However, I must state that I am neither a feminist nor do I support the cry for affirmative action because I believe that affirmative action is not democracy. If any woman wants to lead, she should go out there and contest. In terms of appointment, yes, it should be 50-50 for men and women in government because the women are the ones that vote and are indeed the ones that have sustained democracy; whenever you ask them to come out, they do with all commitment. But in terms of elective offices, women should go out and contest like the men.

I am not saying that I do not support affirmative action for women. I do. But it must be with amendment; that is 50-50 for appointment of women and men in government, like I said. But for elective positions, I do not. If I could survive the challenges of contesting election, any other woman can survive it. You cannot take such free; you have to go to the field and dig it out with the men. And if you are strong and good, the men will stand by you. See Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson and how she has defeated a man twice in Liberia.

But aren’t you aware of the odds against them (women)?

I know but one has to be strong and be able to get rid of fear. At 71, I am still suffering those odds. But you know what, the strength and courage from God has led me on; and I think every woman should try that. More importantly, they should get educated and work hard. Also, they should try to earn an income because vying for elective positions is very capital intensive. So, we just have to face the reality. But naturally, women are very strong and one thing I know is that once you are able to show that strength, people will respect you.

How about coping with the violence involved?

If I was scared of violence, I won’t have done elections. Right from when I was vying for the House of Representatives, there was no day I went for campaign that I did not have to run home; without my windshield. People will be chasing after me. I remember some days I would run home, open the door to my mother’s grave and go in there to hide. So, at some point, I had to learn to throw stones too because they would take stones and throw at me. I had to learn to stand and pick up stones to throw back.

What I am saying in essence is that I would have denied my people, with all sense of modesty, this quality of representation, if I did not stand up to the challenge. I just had to. It was very traumatic because I came back from England and was in Lagos; so, going to face such raw native violence was quite challenging.

Are you currently mentoring younger women to summon such courage?

I am and my main point is for women to get rid of fear. Fear is what destroys every human being. I have been mentoring a lot of younger women and I also have a group of young girls I am mentoring right now. I remember I had to go even to the creeks to campaign while running for elective offices.

With the quality of your experience in politics, how soon are you returning to the senate?

I don’t plan to return to the Senate because I believe I can give so much on the platform of politics without being in the Senate or being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I don’t plan to be anything of such. And mind you, I am very busy presently. I just plan to be working the way I’m doing now; things come into my mind; for instance when you look at the society, you’ll see that it is heated up. In such circumstances, I team up with other women to lend my voice against disunity. Currently, I’m also championing the climate change campaign. I do very serious things and also a bit of unserious things. So, you can see I am very positively engaged and do not need any distraction from any full-time appointment. I may consider a part-time appointment if given; but going to the Senate is a big no.

Do you believe in restructuring?

I talk about devolution of powers because that’s my own terminology for it. I believe in devolution of power which is asking that power should be devolved and delegated to the federating units for true federalism. What we have now is a military system handed to us by the military. For true democracy, we should enforce true federalism by delegating powers to the federating units, allowing them run at their own pace and making them stronger. Issues of agriculture, culture, railway, and more should be delegated to the states. The only thing I will not support is state policing even though that is operated in places like the United States of America. I say this because Nigerians abuse power a lot; so, I will not support giving power to a governor to the extent of owning his own police. Trust me, he may decide to do 20 terms because he has his own police.