By Tom Garba
There was a time when Aishatu Ahmed Dahiru Modibbo, popularly known as Binani, commanded considerable political influence in Adamawa State, with a support base that made her one of the prominent female politicians in the state.
Between 2011 and 2023, Binani built her political profile through elective offices, first as a member of the House of Representatives representing Yola North, Yola South and Girei Federal Constituency from 2011 to 2015, and later as senator representing Adamawa Central from 2019 to 2023. Her political career also drew attention for her engagement with women and youths.
Her political prominence reached a high point in 2023 when she secured the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket in Adamawa State, despite divisions within the party. Her candidacy attracted nationwide attention, particularly because she was the only female governorship candidate fielded by a major ruling party at the time.
The election was, however, overshadowed by controversy after the then Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Ari, announced Binani as the winner while the collation process was still ongoing. The Independent National Electoral Commission subsequently rejected the declaration, and the incident became one of the most contentious episodes of the 2023 governorship elections.
Since then, questions have emerged about the strength of Binani’s political structure and her ability to sustain the influence she enjoyed before the election. Her movement from the APC to the African Democratic Congress and subsequently to the Nigerian Democratic Congress has added another dimension to the debate about her political future.
One of the challenges confronting her, according to political observers, is the need to build a strong grassroots network around the NDC, which has a less established political presence in Adamawa than the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party. The party would have to expand its reach across the state’s 21 local government areas to improve its visibility and appeal to voters.
Binani’s political realignment has also coincided with the dispersal of some of the figures associated with her previous political campaigns. Senator Ishaku Abbo, who was linked to her political machinery during the 2023 election, is now associated with the Labour Party and has emerged as a separate governorship contender, reflecting the changing political alliances in the state.
The contest for political relevance has also become more crowded, with figures such as Ahmed Aminu Galadima of the APC, Maurice Vunobolki of the PDP, Christopher Nathaniel of the Social Democratic Party and Abbo of the Labour Party featuring in discussions about the state’s political future. Their activities have contributed to questions about whether Binani can regain the prominence she once enjoyed.
Internal disagreements within the NDC could present another challenge. Disputes surrounding the party’s leadership and the reported disagreement over former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal, have raised questions about the cohesion of its Adamawa chapter. A divided party could find it difficult to coordinate an effective campaign and mobilise supporters across the state.
Binani’s history of moving between political platforms has also become a subject of debate. Her political journey included an association with the Peoples Democratic Movement in 2015, when she contested for the Senate. The latest realignment has renewed questions about the long-term stability of her political alliances and the strength of the structures she can rely on.
Whether she can reproduce the momentum of 2023 remains uncertain. Her experience, political networks and capacity to adapt could still prove useful, but rebuilding a strong support base under a different party platform would require sustained organisation and effective engagement with voters. For now, Binani’s political standing in Adamawa remains a subject of debate as the state moves towards the 2027 governorship election.
Tom Garba is a policy, political and crisis analyst based in Jimeta, Adamawa State.
Tags
Opinion
