The Rise And Rise Of Hon Juliana Esla Dauda

By Eric Kuju

From nowhere, she became a Councillor in Lafia Local Government Council. From nowhere, she became the Majority Leader in the Local Government Legislative Council. From nowhere, she gave a hot challenge for the seat to represent Lafia North State Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly (though she bowed to pressure and opted out at the last moment during the Party primaries). From nowhere, she was appointed into the present position she presently occupying, Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters To the Governor of Nasarawa State.

Recently, she fielded questions from Eggonnews whereby she spoke on how it has been with her since she joined politics.

It went thus:

Can you please introduce yourself?

I am Honourable Juliana Esla Dauda (JP), Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Nasarawa State on Political Matters, Office of the Deputy Governor.

I am from Ashakpa village. I was born to the family of late Mr Ala Ayawo of Ashakpa village and Mrs Yaku Ala Ayawo of the same village.

I started my primary education at LGEA Primary School at Ashakpa from 1983 to 1989 then I proceeded to secondary school at GSS Maina in Lafia from 1990. I attended Junior Secondary School there before I later transferred to GGSS Keana where I completed my secondary school.

From there, because of my zeal for education, I proceeded to School of Health Technology Alushi. I attended the Junior Community Health Extension Worker (JCHEW) course there. And because the school observed my hardwork, they gave me immediate employment. I did not have to look for employment. We were just selected and given our employment letters. That was where I started work.

I was transferred to so many primary healthcare facilities or dispensaries under the ERCC missionary medical services. And I was in charge at many of these places before I went on to further my education. I went for the Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) course which is the senior one.

After I had done that, I later secured employment with the Local Government. I now voluntarily resigned from the missionary medical services and I joined the government.

When I gained this employment with government, I quickly ran back to school for  the Community Health Officer course at the Jos University Teaching Hospital. That was where I attained the last cadre of being a Community Health Officer.

Between the time I obtained by Community Health Extension Worker qualification and when I went for Community Health Officer course, I got married to DSP Esla Dauda in Tunga village of Assakio, Lafia East Development Area. I got married to him in 2004 before I proceeded to school.

This young man that I got married to has been a very wonderful man to me. He has supported me in every direction I have taken. When I wanted to go to school, he gave me that mandate without consulting anybody despite the fact that he was living with his parents at that time. Even when I went to school, he was the one that kept on monitoring my process of resignation from the medical services Alushi to government. That was where he wanted me to work. He followed the then Chairman of the Development Area and pursued. And before I finished from JUTH, he had already obtained the employment for me and it was waiting for me. So when I came back from there (school), I just resigned from Alushi.

While we were on that, he thought about contesting for councillorship. In my mind at that time I thought, this level that I have read to and to come and contest for councillorship? I had however received a challenge from one of my female lecturers at the university. She challenged us that “some of you can contest to become Councillors, members of the House of Assembly and the likes so that you will stand for your profession, so that you can pursue some of those problems we have been facing as community health officers working in the field without some necessities. When they know you at the top level as a politician, you know it is the politicians that make policies and effect changes. And if the community health workers are not there to speak or to complain about our problems, nobody will change the problems we are facing in the world.”

So, I picked the challenge and coupled with what my husband had to say – because he had contested the councillorship before we even got married but he later on left it and joined the police. He kept on talking to me and I eventually picked interest and decided to give it a try.

From that trial, I faced so many challenges because I am from a different Ward who got married to a person from Ashige Ward. I am from Akurba Ward. The Ashakpa that I earlier spoke of is from Akurba Ward. During the contest, I discovered that I was loved by especially the young ones. They loved me because I worked in most villages there and I was in charge of some of the health facilities there. Everywhere I was, I cultivated a rapport with many people whether elders, women or youths but especially the women because of the type of work I handled like immunization. This gave me good relationship with my people within the constituency.

When I disclosed my intention to go for councillorship, they supported me. But there were some complaints. Some were complaining that I was a woman and not originally from the Ward. But then, at the end of the contest we overcame them. That was how I was elected a councillor from 2014 to 2016 during the first tenure of the former Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura.

You have already started answering this question but I will still ask. How did you come into politics? Some people say they were called. You mentioned how you were challenged in school but are there other things that pulled you to politics?

Yes, the other things that pulled me, from the school that woman threw a challenge and question not to only me but to the whole class, that we should try to go and represent our people and maybe God will lift some of us to higher positions where we can speak for community health. That was the first challenge.

Now, when I came home, my husband asked can you try it? From the beginning I said no, I can’t. But when he kept persisting, I said let me try it. On stepping up with the intention of trying, people now started saying Madam do it. Go in and represent us.

When I heard all these, I accepted. But when I learnt I will have to resign, I said no, I will not resign. It was at that moment people told me ‘You are a good woman. You know how to talk and we like the way you create rapport and build relationships. Go and represent us there.’ They insisted even when I was trying to withdraw from my earlier intentions. They called me to come and serve them.

I nearly fought with my husband because I said I will no longer go for it. But after many people spoke to me, they said ‘People have decided to give you their mandate now and if you withdraw from it, tomorrow they will not come to you with something. If they are looking for you today for you to represent them and you say no, when you go to them tomorrow, they will say they are tired of you. They will say if they support you, you can decide later on that you want to withdraw.’ So, with that statement alone, I gave myself out to go for the councillorship.

Earlier when you were speaking, you said people wanted you but there were some key persons that didn’t want you. You didn’t say how you were able to win them to your side.

These people were just few trying to look at the angle I am coming from. Maybe they were thinking my marriage was on contract. Maybe she has come to get something from them and go back to her father’s house. They didn’t know whether my marital vow that ‘till death do us part’ was true or not. I had to go to them to speak with them, to let them know that I am your wife and there is no going back, no retirement. It is an institution that I cannot graduate from. I will be with you people till death. That was when they started reasoning that this woman knows what she is doing.

I followed them and had series of consultations with them to make them aware that yes, I truly belong to them so there is no how I can do anything that will bring shame to them. You know, if I would be a good politician the credit will go to them. ‘This woman from Tunga, this woman from Ashige Ward is doing good.’ That credit will go to them and not to my father’s house in Akurba Ward. That was what I told them during my regular meetings with them to enlighten them in the aspect of being married from another village. They understood and withdrew their objections and they supported me.

As Councillor representing Ashige Ward, what are some of the things you were able to do that when you look back, you are very happy with yourself?

Thank you for that question. What I did in my office at that time, being the only female among the 13 councillors then and also the Majority Leader – up till today some people still call me ‘One Woman’. I tried to leave a legacy. What men cannot do, I did it for my people. And that is why I was a star at that moment and they make reference to me.

At that time unfortunately there was crisis; the crisis that engulfed my people. They ran from villages and gathered here in Lafia. I looked for women and had an interactive session with them. Everyone brought her problems and we discussed. That day I cooked different types of food for women from Lafia East not just Ashige Ward, to come and eat in my house and so that we can discuss a way forward. I told them we cannot continue to remain in crisis and fold our arms.

I tried my best to see that our people did not stay in primary schools. We distributed people to homes. Even my house at that time, many rooms that were there we gave them to the displaced persons. We tried to accommodate each other so that people will not laugh at those of us from Lafia East.

When I called these women, that day I also distributed maggi, salt, rice and many other ingredients that women could use to cook for their children for at least a week before we can find other solutions.

I did that with men first before I now called the men and distributed rice to them at that time. We gave them to go and eat wherever they could find to stay.

I visited them from time to time to check on their living conditions and also encourage them in the situation we found ourselves.

To the other things I did, focusing mainly on my Ward – because that one was for all the four Wards in Lafia East. Knowing that their houses had been destroyed completely, I bought bundles of zinc, I bought motorcycles and I got bags of cement, clothes, wrappers and I was able to obtain more than 100 indigene forms for my people. I called them from the various villages where they were staying and I distributed these items to them officially.

I did all these so that my people will not face shame and also so that everyone knows that a woman that knows what she is doing is on seat. They tasted the dividends of democracy and I have not disappointed them.

Of course, when they collected it, they really showed appreciation. They said they have never seen such a Councillor. They were wondering if a Councillor can afford all these and be giving out to people in such manner. I said yes, when you have the mind, you will look for the money. You can also give out your salary to work for your people and a greater one will come. But when you refuse to give it out and you keep it for your stomach or your family, you will lack it. They are praying for you. What you should give them, when you refuse, the devil can take it in another way. It is better you give so that they will pray happily for you and God will answer their prayers. They will now pray that God will give you another office so that you will be thinking of them. That is what I did that time as Councillor representing Ashige Ward and Majority Leader.

After your time as Councillor, we are aware that you aspired for higher office. What happened during that time and what did you learn from that experience?

I learned a lot. That time I contested for House of Assembly; my people actually called me. This was because of what I did as I said earlier. They said since at the Councillor level she has given us all these, we have never seen anybody that has given out this much zinc or motorcycles as a Councillor, let us try her in a bigger office. They called me to contest.

And as a female politician I did not say no. I said let me try it, let me test my own blood whether in a higher level they will still want me.

I went for this contest but I faced a lot of challenges. Men at the higher level said no. they started carrying small, small rumours saying ‘let us not allow her to go, she is a woman.’ This woman, woman issue.

But then I did not give up. I struggled. I looked for those that called me. They wrote a small note – even up to today I still have that note at home in my own file. I started following them asking them, ‘is it not you that called me?’ They said yes. ‘Then why is it that these persons are saying this and that?’ They said I should forget about them and that it is God that gives leadership not them. It is nothing but envy.

From there we went on and another thing came up. They said ‘where will she get money to buy form?’ Before they knew it, I went and bought my form. I challenged them. That was when they realized this woman is serious. They now started saying ‘let’s go and beg her. Let her hold on. This is not her time. Let the incumbent member just complete the remaining tenure.’ All these were talks and everybody was just saying what he knew at that time.

I thank God for the kind of husband that I have. He really supported me. He stood by my side. Whenever I was down in my heart, he encouraged me. He told me something good does not come easy, press on. We now pressed on together. He was campaigning for me. He tried his best at that moment.

But on the day for the primary elections, I was called by some people that this member is the candidate of the government so I should hold on and step down for him. There was a lot of talk that day at the venue. When the pressure was too much on me, I lacked what to say. I called my husband and some other elders that were behind me and we went aside to discuss. They told me if I disobey the voice of government, I will be left alone. They said if it is the government that is saying I should step down for the incumbent House Member, I should just do so because looking at it, if I insist and it happens that I go on and I fail, what will be the consequences? On that note I said, ‘Ok, since you people are together with me because a tree cannot make a forest, if you give such advice in line with what government is saying, I cannot disrespect your voices.’ So, that was when I went and announced that I stepped down for the Honourable Member.

That was what happened during my contest for the House of Assembly seat.

From when you came into politics till now, as a woman, has anything changed? The challenges you faced that time, are they still around or has anything changed?

There has been a lot of change. There is progress, more than before. At that time, we were facing a lot of challenges but today as we are discussing, there is greater improvement and there is more understanding when it comes to gender in politics. Because at that time you will discover that they will not even give women room to speak. They will say you are a woman. But today, you can see among the Senior Special Assistants, women are more than men. So, I can tell you proudly that there has been great change in favour of women because they carry us along more than before. However, we still need greater change than this one because when we say there is change, we don’t want to stop there. We still need more again. Let them carry women along in the greater chances than this one.

I want you to advise both the women and the men. For women, how would you advise them to look at politics. Then for the men, considering your testimony of how your husband supported you, what do you have to say to the men?

My advice to men generally is that they should raise up their legs small to give women room to penetrate also. They are also human beings. We are all equal. A man does not carry two heads or four hands or four legs. All of us are equal, it is just the sex. They are male, we are female.

Another advice for the men is that they should please support and encourage their women to go into politics. They should not be carried away by this popular notion that women in politics are prostitutes. It is not like that. When you are married, you know that you are married. Even if the woman is not into politics and she wants to misuse herself outside with different men, she can still do it. And if a woman is in politics, if she knows that she is a reasonable woman, she knows the dignity she is supposed to give to herself so that people will not look down on her. It is just the matter of telling your woman at home, what you like and what you don’t like so that she would go by the rules.

And she should not overstay outside without doing anything. She will now go home to lie to her husband that ‘we held so, so, so, meeting here and there’ while she only used that time on something else. But when you tell the woman what you like and she is doing what you don’t like, there are people around her or her parents that can come in to advise her.

But you should not stop her from that politics because something little has come in. No. Try to encourage her and if she finally leaves that habit, she will be better and occupy offices you did not even expect. Like in my own case, my husband supported me and I have never brought shame to his name. And I will never bring shame to him. I rather maintain my dignity as a married woman. Having a husband with children at home, I should know that I am a mother. If I do anything that will bring shame to my family’s name, my children will also suffer the disgrace.

I want to beg the men out there to let their wives participate in politics. When they play clean politics, they will benefit from it. They should not see a woman in politics as a prostitute.

To women generally, I want women to stop what we call maula. I don’t like it. There is a way they often look at such women. They will always come to say ‘please give me this. I don’t have money for fuel today. I want to send my daughter out to marriage, I need money.’ If you meet a man that cannot just give you without taking, he would not give you. He too will demand from you as a woman. And because you are desperate for that money, you will give him what he wants. It is not good at all.

It is very bad and shameful that you will want to exchange. What can you exchange with that man that you will take from him? It will not benefit you on the long run.

So, I want to plead with women to retain their dignity. They should maintain the respect married women have and not to bring shame to their families in the name of politics.

I will also advise them to come out to contest for positions. We should not be carried away or be intimidated because they always look down on women in politics. They should come out boldly to contest councillorship, chairmanship, House of Assembly, Representatives, Senate. It is all about mobilizing your own people. The mandate is from the people. When you mobilize them well, you respect them and give them what you have – not to go and steal to come and give them. Do not eat alone. If you eat alone, you will die alone and they will not work for you. The day you will mistakenly release what you have, they will say ‘we have gotten our own today, let’s eat!’ But when you have, give no matter how little it is. The day is coming that they will pay back that little with their votes. When you create good rapport with people, they will recognise you when it is time for elections.

And women, we should stop envying each other. We must show the example with our lives of how we should be treated. When you are fighting a woman like you, others are watching your actions and your utterances. There is a saying that if you are a fool, the person listening to you is not a fool.

I don’t want women to go about envying one another, carrying people in mind, gossiping about a fellow woman. Why should you gossip about her? What will you benefit from it? We should stop all these things. If the woman is higher than you, what you can do is to pray for your own turn to come and the position you will get may even be more than hers. But when you envy her, you will not get that position. Or when they remove her from that position, they will not give it to you. That is what I know. Because when you envy your sister today, they could remove her. But will they give it to you? They will not. Rather, it is your relationship with those up there or your contribution to the party or to the government at that moment that will give you relevance.

My advice to women is that they should unite and work together as a team. When the unity is strong and the men see that they cannot break it, they will support you rather than to fight you.

Your current position as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, how has the experience been?

The current position I am occupying as given to me by Governor Abdullahi Sule to serve the government and to represent my people is really a wonderful office. I really thank him for this position. He recognised me. He picked me from nowhere and has made me who I am today. Indeed, I am grateful.

This office has helped me establish a good relationship with my people and they are cooperating with me. We have been having series of meeting with people in this office. Whenever there is any issue, they come over to seek for advice and I have been doing it. And they have truly been following the advice that we have been giving to live in peace with each other, not to create any confusion and that we should support the government of the day so that things will be well with us.

There are things that have been coming and we have been helping. Because as I said earlier, you cannot eat alone. When you eat alone, you will die alone. If you are eating alone, nobody will come close to you. So, I have tried to carry people along. Even as the office implies; SSA Political. When it is political, you work with people and that is why the office is busy every day. There is no single day that I don’t see people in this office. I thank God for that.

Compare between elective position and appointment, is there any difference?

Yes, there is difference because when it is elective, it is the mandate of the people. Individuals voted you there for you to represent them. But in the case of appointment, what you have been doing for people and what you have been contributing to the party and to the government of the day, all these things are taken into account. And when they see records of all these things that you have done and you are still doing, they will call you to come and represent your people because they know who you are and what you can do. That is the difference.

But when you are in the office, whether you were elected or the government seeing what you have been doing, call you; it is all for you to serve your people. You will use the office whether appointed or elected, to serve your people. You will bring them under one umbrella of the government, for them to know what the government of the day is doing and what they don’t want from the communities.