Plateau needs leader who’ll carry people along - Tallen
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- Category: Inside politics
- Written by Amina Alhassan
- Hits: 1843
Being the first woman to be elected Deputy Governor in Northern Nigeria, Pauline Tallen is bracing up to surpass that record, but even before she gets there her chances are being threatened by the feud with her boss Governor Jonah Jang.
Could you shed more light on the feud between you and the Governor of Plateau State. Is it because of your ambition to contest the governorship of the state or there are other issues involved?Pauline Tallen: I am not quarrelling with the governor. Yes, I can say we have our differences on issues in the state. There is always conflict that could be resolved amicably. But in situations where sentiments are brought in, then it affects the affairs of the state. Sentiments should be set aside and facts confronted. I am a very peaceful person and I have done everything humanly possible to put things back on track but it just keeps hitting a rock. My contesting is an expression of exercising my fundamental human right, to vote and be voted for.
He is my boss and still one till the end of his tenure. So I am not in any battle with him. The feud you asked about is only being escalated on the pages of newspapers. It is also the call of the people that I am answering to. The people have seen my performances over the years and have decided that I should come and take over the baton of leadership. They want someone who will carry them along in state.
Do you think the people of Plateau State are ready for a female governor?
Yes, they are very ready. You must understand that this is not my battle but that of God. I do not see myself as a woman but as an instrument of God to serve the people and bring the desired change to the state. Gender should be set aside. Focus and dedication should be priority. The society is moving forward and if women are always relegated to the background and not fully involved, then the desired change cannot be impacted and achieved. If we must have that change there must be something new in place, which begins with us. Female or not, the capability and competence of the leader are what counts, not gender.
Why do we have women in politics especially those vying for elective offices in Northern Nigeria?
The major challenges are culture and religion. Anybody using religion, culture and gender is doing it based on his selfish interests. It is only in this part of the country that women are relegated or prevented from holding strategic positions. I have seen women holding strategic and sensitive positions. Even in strictly and purely Islamic countries like Pakistan and Indonesia women have been vice president or even president.
Women also do not have the right support and of course, there are risks involved in this kind of terrain. But for how long can we continue to allow cultural and traditional issues to deny us our rights in the society? The men believe it is for only them alone. Women have also played very active roles in the development of the society. We have seen them in action and some are still doing very well in their various positions and making the right changes. As I said and will continue to say, if we must move forward, then women who have the capability should be supported and given a chance to prove their worth.
There is also this perception that women who go into politics do so with the support of men, if not they cannot make the mark. How true is this?
Well, the answer to that is ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Yes because women cannot do politics in isolation of the men. We need one another. If a woman is vying for a political position, it is not only women who will work with her or vote for her, so we need the men. No, in the sense that women can make their mark without any male influence. It is hard work and determination that makes one tick in politics. If not for my hard work, determination and fear of God, I wouldn’t have made it to this position.
But you know that as a woman in politics, you have to work twice harder than your male counterpart to succeed. That’s how our society is programmed but this mentality is gradually fading with the tremendous support women are now receiving due to the massive mobilization of women through the Women for Change Initiative of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan which deserves great commendation.
To digress a little bit to your earlier question, I will say that women are equal to the task of leadership. Of recent, Brazil elected their first female, Dilma Rousseff as president. Also, Angela Merkel of Germany recently got elected for a second term in office as Chancellor, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is Liberian President and many other female heads of governments presently serving which time cannot permit me to mention.
What is the desired change you hope to bring if you are elected governor of the state?
My major focus will be to carry the people along in whatever I do and return peace, unity and progress to the state. I have dedicated everything to God because I believe in God and that His will shall surely come to pass in the land.
Articles
Plateau needs leader who’ll carry people along - Tallen
Category: Inside politics Written by Amina Alhassan Hits: 1843
Being the first woman to be elected Deputy Governor in Northern Nigeria, Pauline Tallen is bracing up to surpass that record, but even before she gets there her chances are being threatened by the feud with her boss Governor Jonah Jang.
Could you shed more light on the feud between you and the Governor of Plateau State. Is it because of your ambition to contest the governorship of the state or there are other issues involved?Pauline Tallen: I am not quarrelling with the governor. Yes, I can say we have our differences on issues in the state. There is always conflict that could be resolved amicably. But in situations where sentiments are brought in, then it affects the affairs of the state. Sentiments should be set aside and facts confronted. I am a very peaceful person and I have done everything humanly possible to put things back on track but it just keeps hitting a rock. My contesting is an expression of exercising my fundamental human right, to vote and be voted for.
He is my boss and still one till the end of his tenure. So I am not in any battle with him. The feud you asked about is only being escalated on the pages of newspapers. It is also the call of the people that I am answering to. The people have seen my performances over the years and have decided that I should come and take over the baton of leadership. They want someone who will carry them along in state.
Do you think the people of Plateau State are ready for a female governor?
Yes, they are very ready. You must understand that this is not my battle but that of God. I do not see myself as a woman but as an instrument of God to serve the people and bring the desired change to the state. Gender should be set aside. Focus and dedication should be priority. The society is moving forward and if women are always relegated to the background and not fully involved, then the desired change cannot be impacted and achieved. If we must have that change there must be something new in place, which begins with us. Female or not, the capability and competence of the leader are what counts, not gender.
Why do we have women in politics especially those vying for elective offices in Northern Nigeria?
The major challenges are culture and religion. Anybody using religion, culture and gender is doing it based on his selfish interests. It is only in this part of the country that women are relegated or prevented from holding strategic positions. I have seen women holding strategic and sensitive positions. Even in strictly and purely Islamic countries like Pakistan and Indonesia women have been vice president or even president.
Women also do not have the right support and of course, there are risks involved in this kind of terrain. But for how long can we continue to allow cultural and traditional issues to deny us our rights in the society? The men believe it is for only them alone. Women have also played very active roles in the development of the society. We have seen them in action and some are still doing very well in their various positions and making the right changes. As I said and will continue to say, if we must move forward, then women who have the capability should be supported and given a chance to prove their worth.
There is also this perception that women who go into politics do so with the support of men, if not they cannot make the mark. How true is this?
Well, the answer to that is ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Yes because women cannot do politics in isolation of the men. We need one another. If a woman is vying for a political position, it is not only women who will work with her or vote for her, so we need the men. No, in the sense that women can make their mark without any male influence. It is hard work and determination that makes one tick in politics. If not for my hard work, determination and fear of God, I wouldn’t have made it to this position.
But you know that as a woman in politics, you have to work twice harder than your male counterpart to succeed. That’s how our society is programmed but this mentality is gradually fading with the tremendous support women are now receiving due to the massive mobilization of women through the Women for Change Initiative of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan which deserves great commendation.
To digress a little bit to your earlier question, I will say that women are equal to the task of leadership. Of recent, Brazil elected their first female, Dilma Rousseff as president. Also, Angela Merkel of Germany recently got elected for a second term in office as Chancellor, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is Liberian President and many other female heads of governments presently serving which time cannot permit me to mention.
What is the desired change you hope to bring if you are elected governor of the state?
My major focus will be to carry the people along in whatever I do and return peace, unity and progress to the state. I have dedicated everything to God because I believe in God and that His will shall surely come to pass in the land.