INTERVIEW: Kogi guber: Men won’t intimidate me out of race – ZLP candidate, Fatima Taiye Suleiman

<p>Hon. Fatima Taiye Suleiman is the only female candidate out of the 18 contesting for the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State. The Lokoja-based fashion designer in this exclusive interview with DAILY POST vows not to step down for any candidate ahead of the election. </p>, <p></p>, <p>Hon. Fatima Taiye Suleiman is an indigene of Okene, in Kogi State. I am based in Lokoja and I am a fashion designer. In the 21 Local Government Areas here in Kogi State, I am their chairlady. I am also the Chairlady of Women Initiative International.</p>, <p></p>, <p>I was born in Kwara State, before I relocated to Lagos. From Lagos State, I moved back to my State here in Kogi. The way they operate in Lagos State is different from the way they operate in Kogi, especially as it concerns women.</p>, <p>During Prince Abubakar Audu’s tenure, may his soul rest in perfect peace, I was with him 24/7 in time of politics. When God called him, there was nothing we could do. From there, I met a former lawmaker representing Kogi West, Senator Dino Melaye. He is my boss. I followed him. If you want to know the truth, call Senator Dino Melaye.</p>, <p>We were four women that followed him, bumper to bumper. That was in 2015 when he won his Senatorial election. I worked for those people that I called for you. But when God said, come to the Zenith Labour Party, I believed the time was ripe. I was single handedly called by the Chairman of ZLP, Dan Nwanyanwu. He said, madam, I want you to handle ZLP in Kogi and I said it was fine. That was how my name started ringing the bell. From there, I came out for the Senatorial election, myself and other political party candidates in the 2023 general election. Now, I believe it is time to come out for the number one seat of Kogi State.</p>, <p></p>, <p>What made me join politics is because of the way they are treating our women. I don’t like it. In time of election, women are much on the field. But when the results come out, they push us aside. If you go to various offices, you will meet men there