Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed (born 11 August 1971), popularly known as Aisha Binani, is a Nigerian politician and entrepreneur who was the senator for Adamawa Central from 2019 to 2023.[1][2][3] On 30 March 2020, she was appointed Gimbiyar Adamawa by the Adamawa Emirate Council.[4]
Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed | |
|---|---|
 Binani in 2022 | |
| Senator for Adamawa Central | |
| In office 11 June 2019 – 11 June 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Abdul-Aziz Nyako |
| Succeeded by | Abbas Aminu Iya |
| Member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from Adamawa | |
| In office 6 June 2011 – 6 June 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Sa'ad Tahir |
| Succeeded by | Abubakar Lawal |
| Constituency | Yola North/Yola South/Girei |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 August 1971 Kaduna, North-Central State (now Kaduna State), Nigeria |
| Political party | All Progressives Congress (2018–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
|
| Spouse | Ahmed Modibbo |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation |
|
| Nickname | Binani |
Background
editBinani was born on 11 August 1971, in Kaduna city. Her father, Dahiru Ahmed Chiroma, was a son of Ahmadu Malabu, an elder brother to Muhammed Ribadu, Nigeria's first Defence Minister.[5]
Education
editBinani started her early school education in Kaduna and completed it at Gwadabawa Primary School, Jimeta in Yola. She obtained her secondary school education at Government Secondary School, Yola.
In 1993, Binani then attended the Federal Polytechnic of Mubi where she obtained an Ordinary National Diploma and then Higher National Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. She completed her National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) service in Borno state where she won the state merit award for outstanding performance.
Binani furthered her education by pursuing a certificate in Rural Radio Systems at the University of Southampton in the UK. Additionally, she holds a postgraduate diploma in Business Management and a certificate in Data Processing from Nasarawa State University in Keffi.[6][7]
Personal life
editBinani is married to Professor Ahmed Modibbo, a former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), who is believed to be one of the wealthiest individuals in Adamawa state.[8]
Political career
editIn 2011, Binani joined politics. She was elected member of the 7th National Assembly where she represented Yola North, Yola South and Girei Constituency of Adamawa State in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015, under PDP, the ruling party at the time. While serving in this position, she was Chairman, House committee on Constituency Outreach, member committee on Appropriations, Land Transports, Millennium Development Goals and Petroleum resources (Downstream) Public Service Matter. In 2015, while she was still a legislator, she distributed 75,000 school bags to pupils in her constituency.[8][9] Her efforts in the House of Representatives have encompassed various areas, including healthcare services, educational development, agricultural assistance, employment generation, and infrastructural development. These initiatives have aimed to address the needs of the people of her constituency.[10]
Following her tenure in the House of Representatives in 2015, she pursued the candidacy for the Senatorial position representing Adamawa Central, while her husband, Ahmed Modibbo, concurrently sought the position of Governor of Adamawa, both as members of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM). She lost to Abdulaziz Nyako while Modibbo lost to Bindow, both APC candidates.[6][11]
In the 2019 general election, Binani contested once again for the position of Senator for Adamawa Central, but this time as a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party at the time. Her candidacy was confirmed in 2018 after winning the party's primary election where she garnered 1,282 votes, surpassing her opponent, Aliyu Wakili Boya, who received 599 votes, thus securing her position as the APC candidate for the senatorial seat in Adamawa Central.[12] She emerged victorious in the general election, securing a total of 188,526 votes. Her victory marked a significant margin as she defeated the candidate from the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Murtala Chubado Modibbo, by a margin of 91,966 votes, as per the official results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This made her the only female senator from northern Nigeria in the 9th National Assembly.[13] While serving as in this role, she was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[14]
2023 Adamawa Governorship election
editBinani decided to contest for the position of Governor of Adamawa in 2023. In a competitive primary election that involved prominent figures such as former governor Jibrilla Bindow; pioneer Executive Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu; and influential Federal legislator Abdurazaq Namdas, she emerged the candidate.[5]
She received 430 votes with the runner-up, Nuhu Ribadu, receiving 288 votes. Ribadu filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of the election. In his suit, he sought the nullification of the exercise and requested the disqualification of Binani. Ribadu based his claims on allegations of vote buying, over-voting, and delegate inducement. The lawsuit raised concerns regarding the integrity and fairness of the primary election process. In October 2022, the Federal High Court in Yola made a decision to nullify the primaries. Following this development, the First Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari, an indigine of Adamawa herself, encouraged Binani to accept the court's ruling and consider joining the ticket as Nuhu Ribadu's deputy governor. However, Senator Binani chose to challenge the court's ruling at the Appeal Court. In November, the Appeal Court reinstated her as the governorship candidate, allowing her to continue her candidacy. She was officially declared the winner of the election and was the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the gubernatorial race.[15][8]
Binani contested against the incumbent Ahmadu Fintiri, in the 2023 general election. Fintiri ran as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate. On 15 April 2023, during the process of collating election results, the state resident electoral commissioner, Hudu Ari, made an illegal declaration of Binani as the winner of the poll. Binani subsequently delivered an acceptance speech, which generated significant controversy. In response, the national electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) swiftly nullified Ari's decision and suspended him from his position. Simultaneously, President Muhammad Buhari ordered a thorough investigation into the conduct of the electoral commissioner and the security personnel who were present during the declaration.[16][17] Following the completion of the collation process, the results of the election were officially announced. Governor Fintiri emerged as the winner, securing a total of 430,861 votes. Binani, on the other hand, attained the position of runner-up, obtaining 398,738 votes.[18]
Aftermath
editHudu Ari was arrested in May, a month after the controversial announcement and received a 6-count charge filed against him by INEC in July over "alleged electoral offences".[19][20] Binani, represented by her lawyer Michael Aondoakaa, filed an ex-parte application on 10 July to challenge INEC's decision to nullify Hudu Ari's announcement. Aondoakaa argued that the election petition tribunal should have the authority to decide the outcome, citing relevant sections of the Electoral Act. He expressed concerns that INEC's decision could hinder the resolution of Binani's petition within the designated timeframe. A similar lawsuit had previously been directed to the tribunal by Justice Inyang Ekwo, who advised Binani to approach the tribunal for election-related matters.[21][22]
Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the prosecution of Hudu Ari, the suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, to be suspended. Furthermore, INEC stated that Ari will face arraignment before an Adamawa State High Court in Yola on 12 July.[21][22] However, the proceedings were halted as the Federal High Court directed the State Court to suspend the trial pending a decision on Binani's petition at the election tribunal.[23]
In December 2023, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed the appeal of Binani and affirmed Fintiri as Governor of Adamawa State. The Court stressed that the premature announcement of Hudu Ari, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, was illegal.[24]
Bills and motions
edit- Modibo Adama University of Technology (Establishment etc) Bill
- Fiscal Responsibility Commission (Establishment etc) Bill
- 1999 Constitution (Alteration) Bill
- National Dermatology Specialist Hospital, Garkida, Adamawa State (Establishment etc) Bill
- Federal Medical Centre (Establishment etc) Bill
- Modibo Adama University Yola Teaching Hospital (Establishment) Bill
- Federal Medical Centre Mubi, Adamawa State (Establishment etc) Bill
- University Teaching Hospital (Reconstitution Of Board) Act (Amendment) Bill
- Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill
References
edit- ^ "Adamawa senator, Senator Aishatu Binani loses mother". 10 December 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ Ndujihe, Clifford (4 March 2019). "Women who will shape Ninth Senate". Vanguard. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
- ^ "Adamawa senator denies allegations of solar panel contract scam worth millions". Punch Newspapers. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- ^ Ahmad, Ayuba (26 October 2020). "Binani: Rhythms of vision and courage".
- ^ a b "How Binani pulled a surprise to pick Adamawa guber ticket - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. 29 May 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Aisha Binani - Daily Trust - Latest News in Nigeria and the World". Daily Trust. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "Celebrities 28 04 13". Issuu. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- ^ a b c Onigbanjo, Gbope (15 March 2023). "Cracking the Glass Ceiling". The Republic. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ Olumide, Seye; Anazia, Daniel (4 April 2019). "2019 polls offer less opportunity for women involvement in legislative politics". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ Aliyuchaji (11 June 2019). "What you need to know about Sen. Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani the New Senator Representing Adamawa Central and the only Female Senator in northern Nigeria". aliyuchaji's Blog. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Adamawa state Governorship election results and data 2015 - Stears Elections". www.stears.co. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ TVCN (10 October 2018). "Senate hopeful tasks losers of APC primaries on party interest - Nigeria News". Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "Adamawa gets female senator". www.premiumtimesng.com. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Premium Times". Premium Times. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ "Ribadu vs Binani: Ex-EFCC Chair finally drops court case - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ Babangida, Mohammed (16 April 2023). "Binani gives acceptance speech after being illegally declared winner of Adamawa guber election". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ Iniobong, Iwok (2 May 2023). "Suspended Adamawa REC, Hudu Ari, arrested". Businessday NG. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "Adamawa state Governorship election results and data 2023 - Stears Elections". www.stears.co. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "INEC files 6-count charges against rogue Adamawa REC, Hudu Ari". Daily Nigerian. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ Iniobong, Iwok (2 May 2023). "Suspended Adamawa REC, Hudu Ari, arrested". Businessday NG. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ a b Ekele, Emmanuela (10 July 2023). "Court Orders AGF, INEC To Halt Prosecution Of Suspended Adamawa REC Yunusa-Ari". Channels.
- ^ a b Elijah, Ima (10 July 2023). "Binani drags INEC to court again, seeks review of election result". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ Ochetenwu, Jim (12 July 2023). "Binani vs INEC: Yola High Court holds off proceedings in suit against Hudu Ari". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ Ekele, Emmanuella (18 December 2023). "UPDATED: Appeal Court Affirms Fintiri's Election As Adamawa Governor". Channels Nigeria.
Notes
edit- ^ Abaribe was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in May 2022.
- ^ Abbo was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in November 2020.
- ^ Akpan was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the YPP in July 2022.
- ^ The PDP's Ekpenyong was elected senator in 2019 but a Court of Appeal partially annulled the results and called a supplementary election in the affected areas. Ekpenyong won the ensuing rerun election and was sworn-in again in January 2020.
- ^ Oduah was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in August 2021 before returning to the PDP in April 2022.
- ^ Jika was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the NNPP in June 2022.
- ^ Bulkachuwa was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in November 2022.
- ^ Gumau was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the NNPP in May 2022.
- ^ The PDP's Douye Diri was elected senator in 2019 but resigned in February 2020 after winning election to become Bayelsa State Governor. Cleopas won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.
- ^ The PDP's Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was elected senator in 2019 but resigned in February 2020 after winning election to become Bayelsa State Deputy Governor. Dickson won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.
- ^ a b In April 2022, Adamu and Kyari resigned from the Senate after taking APC party offices the month prior.
- ^ The PDP's Rose Okoji Oko was elected senator in 2019 but died in March 2020. Jarigbe and fellow PDP member Stephen Odey fought in court over the ensuing by-election's PDP nomination; Odey won both initial court decisions and the by-election before taking office late in December 2020. However, Jarigbe later won several court challenges which declared him the legitimate PDP nominee and thus senator. Jarigbe took office in September 2021.
- ^ Nwaoboshi was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in June 2021.
- ^ Alimikhena was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in June 2022.
- ^ The APC's Adedayo Clement Adeyeye was elected senator in 2019 but the NASS Election Petition Tribunal awarded and Court of Appeal affirmed the win to Olujimi. She took office in November 2019.
- ^ Onyewuchi was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the LP in June 2022.
- ^ Due to disputes over alleged irregularities, the APC's Benjamin Uwajumogu was not sworn in until July 2019. Uwajumogu died in December 2019 leading to a bye-election. After disputes, Ibezim was awarded the bye-election victory and took office in April 2021.
- ^ Due to disputes over the alleged forced declaration of his election, Okorocha was not sworn in until June 14, 2019.
- ^ Shekarau was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the NNPP in May 2022 then to the PDP in August 2022.
- ^ Babba Kaita was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in April 2022.
- ^ Aliero was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in May 2022.
- ^ Abdullahi was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in June 2022.
- ^ The PDP's Dino Melaye was elected senator in 2019 but Adeyemi petitioned against the results and the NASS Election Petition Tribunal annulled the results and called a new election. Adeyemi won the ensuing rerun election and took office in December 2019.
- ^ The APC's Adebayo Osinowo was elected senator in 2019 but died in June 2020. Abiru won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.
- ^ Akwashiki was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the SDP in July 2022.
- ^ The APC's David Umaru was elected senator in 2019 but the Supreme Court awarded the APC primary win to Musa making him senator. He took office in July 2019.
- ^ Balogun was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in May 2022.
- ^ The APC's Ignatius Datong Longjan was elected senator in 2019 but died in February 2020. Daduut won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.
- ^ The APC's Abubakar Shehu Tambuwal was elected senator in 2019 but a Court of Appeal awarded the win to Abdullahi Danbaba. He took office in November 2019 as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in April 2022.
- ^ Bwacha was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in February 2022.
- ^ a b c Prior to inauguration, the APC's Zamfara votes were voided due to improper holding of party primaries. Thus the PDP runners-up took office. All three (Anka, Hassan Muhammed Gusau, Yaú) switched to the APC in June 2021. In February 2022, Muhammed Gusau resigned to become Zamfara Deputy Governor.