You Need Special Grace to contest elections as a woman, else … – Savelugu MP-elect
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The Savelugu Member of Parliament elect on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Northern Region, Hajia Fatahiya Abdul Aziz, has lamented the challenges she went through in her quest to represent the people in the Legislative arm of government as a woman.
According to her, it wasn’t easy for her as a woman to contest the election and she needed a special grace of Allah to overcome all the vilifications and attacks on her personality.
In an interaction with Journalists after casting her ballot in last Saturday’s general election on December 7, 2024, Hajia Fatahiya bemoaned the abuse and the unprintable language some people used against her especially some leading figures in the National Democratic Congress.
Once again, this development has questioned the country’s commitment to ensure inclusivity and gender equity in governance and representation of the people in decision-making.
“…I have endured all manner of insults in this constituency since I declared my intention to contest this seat. The things they said about me, [if not because I was determined], to do this politics you need the special grace, and if you’re not called to serve, you will give up” she stated.
Nevertheless, the NPP Member of Parliament elect said her story should inspire all women in the country to keep persevering, emphasizing this means that every woman can make it in every endeavor with determination.
Election results
Meanwhile, Madam Fatahiya affectionately called ‘Yooyili Pag’Dede’ secured triumphant victory in the Savelugu parliamentary election to recapture the seat for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after the party lost it in the 2020 general elections.
She obtained 27,450 to beat the incumbent National Democratic Congress MP, Abdulai Jacob Iddriss, who had 24,877 votes.
The third candidate, Haruna Zakaria who contested on the ticket of the People’s National Convention (PNC) obtained 136 votes.
Hajia Fatahiya therefore becomes the only female Member of Parliament elected in the eighteen (18) constituencies in the Northern Region.
