HOW I OVERCAME: Mariam Usman: I Broke Gender Barriers In Politics

Comrade Mariam Usman Yahaya, a female politician from Ogori in Ogori-Magongo local government area of Kogi State, has an inspiring entry into Nigeria’s male-dominated political landscape.

Yahaya, who also describes herself as a committed housewife, said her decision to enter politics was one of the most challenging of her life.

According to her, societal attitudes, especially from men, often discouraged women from participating in politics, with many insisting that a woman’s place is in the kitchen. She, however, urged the womenfolk not to be deterred, but to face the challenge as she did.

In the story she shared with LEADERSHIP, she has remained steadfast and gradually carved a path for herself in the Kogi’s political space.

Currently serving as the senior special assistant to Kogi State Governor on Livelihood and the chairperson of artisans in the state, Yahaya traced her political journey to 1999.

She said, “I started this struggle a long time ago, and it has not been easy. The major challenge has always been our gender. Many men believe politics is not meant for women.”

She recalled her attempt to contest for the House of Representatives seat for Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency between 2010 and 2011, when she was the only female among 11 male aspirants.

“It was frustrating being the only woman in the race. There was a clear gang-up among the men, and financially, I couldn’t compete. While others gave delegates as much as ₦65,000, I could only raise ₦25,000 through personal contributions. That was a major setback,” she explained.

Undeterred, Yahaya said she went on to contest for a seat in the Kogi State House of Assembly and later aspired to become the chairman of her local government area. The two attempts were unsuccessful.

She said during the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello, women were mostly considered for vice chairmanship positions across the 21 local government areas.

“Despite the setbacks, I did not give up. I remained committed to the struggle,” she said.

Highlighting her political impact, Yahaya expressed pride in being the only woman who delivered her ward, Oshobane in Ogori, for Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo during the 2023 governorship election.

She added that she has used her leadership role as chairperson of artisans to empower her community, including facilitating the provision of gari-processing machines for her people.

“I have continued to serve my people through empowerment programmes. This is just the beginning,” she stated.

Looking ahead, Yahaya reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening her party’s chances in future elections.

“I will continue to work hard to secure victory for my party in the 2027 elections. There is no going back for me. The journey has been tough, but I am determined not to give up,” she said.