By Mike Adeyemi
The paradox surrounding political party primaries in Nigeria is that they sometimes resemble a lottery, where the eventual outcome may not necessarily reflect merit, public assessment, pedigree or even the strength of a candidate’s performance at the primary election.
This is one of the issues that naturally raises questions whenever a candidate with an impressive public record appears to have performed strongly at a primary, only for another name to subsequently emerge as the party’s candidate.
It is against this backdrop that the case of Dr. Muheeba Dankaka, former Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), deserves consideration in the unfolding political conversation over the Kwara South Senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dankaka is not a political novice whose aspiration can simply be dismissed as another routine contest for elective office. Her record in public service, administrative experience and leadership at the Federal Character Commission provide substantial material for assessing her suitability for legislative responsibility.
Reports surrounding the APC senatorial primary in Kwara indicate that Dankaka secured a strong showing, with claims that she polled about 74,000 votes across the state and approximately 32,000 votes in Offa. Those figures, if corroborated by the official primary records, raise an important question: what weight should a party attach to the demonstrated support of its members when determining its eventual candidate?
That question becomes even more significant when viewed through the prism of women’s participation in Nigerian politics.
Dankaka’s candidacy also presents the APC with an opportunity to give practical meaning to its oft-stated commitment to women’s inclusion in governance. If the available records are correct that she is currently the only woman seeking an APC senatorial ticket across the northern states, her candidacy represents more than an individual ambition; it touches on the broader question of how political parties translate their promises on women’s participation into actual representation.
Women constitute a significant force in Nigeria’s electorate and have consistently participated actively in elections. Yet their presence among elected political office holders remains comparatively limited. The question, therefore, is not whether women should participate in politics—they already do—but whether the political system is prepared to create sufficient space for them to occupy decision-making positions.
Beyond gender, however, Dankaka’s case should be considered on the basis of competence and track record.
During her tenure at the Federal Character Commission, she was associated with a number of institutional and administrative initiatives. These reportedly included restructuring aspects of the commission’s operations to improve efficiency, strengthening monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and establishing an Office of Economics and Analytics to bring greater data and economic expertise into the commission’s work.
Her administration was also credited with tightening internal accountability by restricting the ability of lower-level officials to alter certain agency orders or settle specific investigations without appropriate authorisation. She was equally associated with efforts to curb alleged abuses surrounding the sale of employment opportunities in government recruitment.
In the area of staff welfare, her tenure was reportedly marked by improvements in infrastructure and employee support. Among the initiatives attributed to her administration were the installation of a modern elevator at the commission’s headquarters, improvements to the reception area, timely payment of salaries and allowances, and support for the families of deceased members of staff.
Capacity building was another area reportedly given attention, with training and retraining programmes organised for staff and commissioners.Perhaps more importantly for an institution whose mandate directly affects the principle of equitable representation, Dankaka’s tenure involved nationwide stakeholder engagements and sensitisation programmes. The commission also undertook monitoring activities relating to the distribution of socio-economic amenities across different parts of the country.
These are not merely items to be listed on a campaign poster. They constitute the kind of administrative experience that can be brought to bear on legislative work, particularly in areas such as public accountability, equitable representation, institutional reform and constituency development.
A senator’s responsibility extends beyond attending plenary sessions or sponsoring bills. The office requires the capacity to understand public policy, scrutinise government institutions, represent constituents and contribute meaningfully to national legislation.
By that measure, Dankaka’s experience at the Federal Character Commission gives her a background that could be relevant to the responsibilities of a legislator.
There is also the question of principle. In an environment where political calculations can sometimes overshadow competence, parties are frequently confronted with the challenge of balancing internal interests with the broader expectations of the electorate.
The APC’s decision regarding the Kwara South senatorial ticket will therefore be watched not only as a local political development but also as an indication of how the party treats issues of merit, internal democracy, women’s participation and the wishes expressed during its primary process.
Of course, political parties have their procedures, and the substitution or emergence of candidates can arise from a variety of legal, administrative and political considerations. But where a candidate has participated in a primary and claims a substantial electoral mandate from party members, the basis for any subsequent decision deserves to be clear, transparent and defensible.
For Dankaka, the argument is straightforward: she has public-sector experience, administrative exposure and a record that provides a basis for assessing her capacity. If the reported figures from the APC primary are confirmed by the relevant party records, her level of support should also form part of the conversation.
The issue should therefore not be reduced to whether Dankaka is a woman seeking political office. It should equally be about whether a candidate with demonstrable public-service experience, a record of institutional administration and reported grassroots support deserves serious consideration when the party determines who should carry its flag.
Kwara South deserves a senator who understands both the people and the machinery of government. The APC, in making its decision, has an opportunity to weigh the competing interests against the principles of competence, representation, internal democracy and inclusion.
If those considerations are applied transparently, Dr. Muheeba Dankaka’s credentials make a compelling case for consideration for the Kwara South Senate ticket.
Mike Adeyemi is a journalist. He writes from Ilorin -Kwara State.
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