For 42 years Eunice Atuejide, a mother of five, and a grandmother, seeking to represent the Apapa constituency, Federal House of Representatives, under the Labour Party, LP, affirmative action has put the female gender at a disadvantage.

Atuejide, the presidential candidate of the Nation Interest Party, NIP, speaks on her stepping down from the presidential race; her growing days from an underserved community, Iwaya, to be a woman of substance.

Let’s get to know you, ma?

I’m Eunice Atuejide, an international lawyer practising in Nigeria and the UK, and a new-breed politician

What informs your decision to contest the above position?

The State of the Nigerian nation and the conviction that I can help redirect our steps are my primary reasons for contesting for public office. I know that the best and most important way to help our people is by joining the process of making and implementing its laws and budgets. Those are my primary motivation for racing for office.

I am a lawyer with vast experience in legislative drafting and policy implementation. I am also a people organiser with experience leading political groups, one of which includes the formation and leadership of the now defunct political party – National Interest Party, NIP – the party upon which I stood to race for the office of President in 2019. All of these are factors I feel make me a great candidate for the position I seek.

Why the Labour Party and not other parties?

Peter Obi is the reason I am confident that I can thrive and do great work for my fellow Nigerians. It was his presentation about his tenure as a two-time Governor of Anambra State that convinced me that I would be fine and that I can do very well in the very corrupt political landscape we have in Nigeria.

So, then he defected to the Labour Party and picked its Presidential ticket, so I simply followed him here.

We always hear of manifestos being presented by aspirants. However, these manifestos end up not being implemented. What are your manifestos, and how is it different from others?

My manifesto says just what I am able to do which is – To Give The People of Apapa The best possible Representation they can ask for. My job as a lawmaker is to propose legislation, policy drives, and act as a watchdog to ensure relevant authorities do their part of ensuring proper implementation of the decisions I lobby for.

This is not a promise I’d have to struggle to fulfil. So, because my manifesto doesn’t offer any kind of impossibility, I will definitely fulfil every bit of it.

Nigerians are asking, What have you done in the past to warrant their votes?

I have set up a youth-led political party, raced for the Presidency, and sponsored several candidates to race for different offices. I have worked as a lawyer here in Nigeria and abroad; worked as secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, etc.

Do you think you stand a chance to win, considering your ethnicity?

I sure have a very good chance of winning Apapa Federal Constituency because I am grounded there. Plus, there are a lot of non-indigenes in Apapa.

Nigerians, especially the youths, are looking for a candidate with experience, and that understands the plights of the common man. Do you feel you have these qualities?

Yes, I do.

Your profile speaks volumes. Tell us more about your growing days

I was born into a peasant family in Iwaya. But I made up my mind to work my way to the top, and I haven’t ever relented.

At 43, you are a grandmother and a mother to five children. Sounds interesting. How were you able to achieve this feat?

I think having babies is one of the easiest things to do. The hard work is in raising them to be excellent and happy humans.

Lagos is assumed an APC state, does Labour Party stand a chance to win if not all elected posts, but some?

Yes, we do.

What can you say about Nigerian women, and affirmative action?

I am not big fan of Affirmative Action because I consider them disadvantageous to us women. We should be able to get as many top positions in politics and business as we are qualified for and interested in pursuing.

And why do Nigerian female aspirants always back out when elections draw near?

I don’t know that Nigerian female aspirants always back out closer to elections. I believe we generally follow through if we’re the elected candidate of our various political parties. The problem I know of is that women rarely emerge as the candidates of the parties. So, there is usually not a lot of us left at the last stages.

How do you hope to change the narrative, by raising the confidence of Nigerians, especially females, considering you withdrew from the presidential race in 2019?

I didn’t withdraw from the 2019 race. Rather, I mobilised my party members and supporters to vote for Atiku after the election was postponed. I realised there was a grand plan to rig Buhari back in so he could continue for four more years, so I did everything I could, including mobilising for Atiku to stop Buhari from getting rigged in.

Do you have confidence in INEC organising a free and fair election?

Yes, I do.

What major gray-areas would your manifestos address?

My manifesto addresses key areas.

How would you address the incessant traffic on Apapa?

I’d bring it up for an address on the floor of the National Assembly; propose legislation to prevent trailers from parking along the bridges and roads leading to the Wharfs. I will propose the creation of trailer parks in the affected areas, and also propose that other ports are made operational across the country, which would invariably reduce trailer traffic in Apapa generally,

I’d ensure that the budget committees make provisions for the short-term interventions that are proposed, and I will follow up to ensure proper implementation of those budgets once they are passed.

About the Author

Elizabeth Osayande is a CIAPS Graduate of Media & Communication.