I will be Nigeria’s first female president — Prof. Sonaiya

The only female contestant and standard-bearer of the Kowa Party in next month’s presidential election, Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, talks about her ambition, women participation in politics, plans for Nigeria as she's sure of winning the forth-coming presidential election. She made this known in an interview with Punch correspondent. 

Read excerpt of her interview:

What are you looking for in politics, having proven your worth in the academia?

I am looking for a good life for Nigerians — plain and simple. With all the resources that the country has, this is not how we ought to live.

Some people are of the opinion that there are two major candidates for the forthcoming presidential election and that others are mere pretenders. Are you one of the pretenders?

The people who think so are missing the point. In fact, they are not missing it; they are just wrong. I do not know why the Independent National Electoral Commission will publish a list of 11 candidates for the election and some people will take it upon themselves to reduce that number to two. That was what was written in an opinion on the back page of The PUNCH sometime last week, to which I quickly responded. Nobody has the right to help us think or do a pre-election. It’s like when you are going to have an interview, and then you decide that there are candidates you are going to interview. That is not the case in these elections. INEC has judged 11 candidates qualified, I don’t know where people are getting only two candidates from.

How did you emerge?

We were interviewed. We had the primaries.

How many females contested?

I was the only female that contested.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo promised 30 per cent of women participation in politics while he was in office. Do you think this move has encouraged more women to join politics?

To be honest with you, I do not think that we have got the best women into politics in Nigeria. Several women who have gone there did so because they were the wives, daughters or sisters of some people. I would prefer women to compete on their skills. There are competent women in our land — many; but many will not get there because of the system that we have been operating. Because of this tokenism, we just put this person there. I would not agree to be put there; I want to get there by my own scheme. I want to really compete.

What do you think are the chances you have?

I think my chances are great because I think that deep down within them, Nigerians will recognise that they have been suffering in the hands of those who have been there all these years. It does not take any special abilities to recognise that.

Why are you not contesting for governorship or a seat in the National Assembly, at least for a start?

Not that I see anything wrong with that; I have given much thought to what I am doing. I have written three books on the Nigerian conscience. I really think I should contest at the level I am contesting now. I am convinced about what I am doing. I come from Oyo State. I am from Ibadan. I have lived in Osun State practically since 1972, when I became a student at the Obafemi Awolowo University. I have never really gone back to live in Ibadan. I have gone for studies somewhere and come back to Ile-Ife. Now, do you think Osun people will allow me to contest under Osun State? Won’t they ask where my father’s house is? Isn’t the National Assembly also a representation from the state? That’s what I’m telling you.

Political campaigns involve a lot of money. How are you funding yours?

People like you are supporting me. I do not have one single moneybag, for which I am truly grateful because, as I have told you before, I do not want to carry any baggage. Part of the phrases that you will be seeing on my posters and online is ‘Clean hands.’ All the people throwing billions at campaigns are making investments and they will be waiting to collect the yields on their investments.

All over the world, political campaigns gulp money, so what are you trying to say?

I’m not saying campaigns don’t gulp money. I am saying that people like you are contributing their N5,000.

How much have you realised?

I am not going to tell you that. I am not about to declare how much I have realised right now. It’s still coming in. As money comes in, I can do this or that. I don’t have a huge sum of money streaming in. As money comes in, it gives me the opportunity to do something else that I had not done before.

Are you confident that INEC will ensure free, fair and credible elections?

I really hope so. I often think and I believe I actually wrote an article on this before that when they are given an opportunity at historical moments, they have an assignment to do for Nigeria. All eyes are on Nigeria. Everybody has been saying that the 2015 elections will be like a watershed for Nigeria. You know how much expectation there is concerning the coming elections. When one is given an assignment at such a historical moment in history, one dares not fail. It will be a big slap if one fails at such a moment. I really hope they don’t let us down. I will pray for them. I really hope they will be able to get their acts together. The consequences of failure at these elections are just too great. I’m sure they don’t want that to happen to us as a nation.

If you don’t win the election, what will be your next political step?

I am sure I will win the election. However, when I get to February 15, I will think about what to do next. I’ll see what God would have me do next.

What is your message to the electorate?

My message to the electorate is that they should dare to believe in change. They should not agree that we do not have a choice. We cannot continue doing things the same way and expect things to change. They should let us work together. Let’s take that bold step towards the change that we have all been yearning for, so that we can have a good life for ourselves in Nigeria.