7 Amazons In The 8th Senate

The few elected females in the Nigerian Senate are women of substance, who are expected to play critical roles in the affairs of the 8th Senate.

Although the number of female senators in the present dispensation have reduced compared to the last dispensation.

The women in the 8th senate are seen to be more popular and have the political stature before they made it to the upper chamber.

Among them is a former minister, former deputy governor, two former first ladies and former two time house of representatives.

Naij.com has researched and come up with 7 amazons in the upper chamber, that will most likely make a name for themselves and shape events in the senate:

1. Stella Oduah (Anambra North)

Stella Oduah

Stella was the Nigerian Minister of Aviation. She was also active in the political campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan, where she served as his campaign’s Director of Administration and Finance.

She received her Bachelors and Masters Degree (in Accounting and Business Administration respectively) in the United States. In 2015 Oduah contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeating her major opponent, Chief Dubem Obaze of All Progressive Grand Alliance (AFGA) to represent Anambra North.

2. Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central)

Uche Ekwunife

Uche Lilian Ekwunife nee Ogudebe foldly referred to as Iyom hails from Nri in Anaocha Local government Area of Anambra state. A resilient and ambitious banker turned politician, Ekwunife was a two term member of the House of Representatives.

In 2010, she contested in the Anambra State Gubernatorial elections under the platform of the Peoples Progressive alliance(PPA)but lost. She sought for the seat in 2014 under All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and unfortunately lost. In 2015 however, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) she contested for and won a seat in the senatorial election to represent Anambra Central Senatorial Zone.

3. Rose Oko (Cross River North)

Rose Oko

Dr Rose Oko, was a member of the House of Representatives representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency of Cross River state. While she was a member of the lower house, Rose sponsored several bills and made contributions on the floor of the House.

In 2015 Rose contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for and won a seat in the senaorial election to represent Cross River North Senatorial District

4. Fatimat Raji-Rasaki (Ekiti Central)

Fatimat Raji-Rasaki

Hon. Fatima Raji Rasaki, is the wife of former military governor, General Raji Rasaki, who represented Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1 in the House of Representatives.

She contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and won the election to represent Ekiti Central Senatorial District. Prior to her political appointment she was a civil servant in Survey, Division Ministry of Lands and Housing, Secretariat, Ibadan Oyo State.

5. Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central)

Senator Remi Tinubu

Oluremi Tinubu is the former first Lady and currently a Senator of Lagos State. She represents Lagos Central Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former first lady of Lagos state is an educationist, administrator, philanthropist and Officer of the Order of the Niger (OFR).

As a senator in the 7th senate she sponsored three bills to provide social security for elderly citizens; seek the amendment of the Labour Act to enhance employment opportunities for women, and a bill to provide special economic assistance to Lagos State in view of its status as a former capital city and the commercial capital of Nigeria.

6. Binta Garba (Adamawa North)

Binta Garba

Seanator Binta Garba is a politician, businesswoman, administrator, philanthropist, humanitarian and a trained marketer and Public Financial Management. She represents Adamawa North Senatorial District of Adamawa state on the platform All Progressives Congress (APC)

She was the Chairman, APC Adamawa state chapter and the first female state chairman of a registered major political party in Nigeria. She was elected into Federal House of Representatives three times (1999 – 2011)

7. Monsurat Jumoke Sunmonu (Oyo Central)

Monsurat Jumoke Sunmonu

Monsurat Sunmonu represents the citizens of the Oyo Central Senatorial District, having won the election held on 28 March 2015.

She is the immediate past Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly. While in the House of Assembly she was representing Oyo East and Oyo West local governments. She became the first female Speaker in the history of Oyo State on 10 June 2011.