Tittle: Surayya Abubakar Margai: The First and Only Female Winner of an Election in Sokoto State since 1999 and the Implications...
Tittle: Surayya Abubakar Margai: The First and Only Female Winner of an Election in Sokoto State since 1999 and the Implications for Politics of Gender Inclusion
Author: Godwin Onuh Odeh
Publishers: Bahiti & Dalila Publishers (Lagos and London)
Year: 2026
ISBN: 978-978-60460-6-8
Pages: 150
Price: Not stated
Cover: Paperback
Reviewer: Dr. Zainab Abdulkarim, Department of English Language and Linguistics, Sokoto State University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
Brief Notes on the Author: Dr. Godwin Onuh Odeh, holds B.A (Hons) and M.A in History from Benue State University (now Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu University Makurdi) and Ph.D. in Diplomatic History from Nnamdi Azikwe University Awka ((NAU). He teaches in the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, Sokoto State University, Nigeria. He is reasonably prolific and stands as a convincing exemplar of academic excellence and intellectual prowess. Popularly called the “scholar” in Sokoto State University is not just a flattery and title but by a compelling commitment to education and research. In the lecture hall, Dr. Odeh’s persuasive teaching style captivates students, making the intricate tapestry of history both accessible and compelling. His ability to convey complex ideas with clarity and enthusiasm convinces learners that history is not just a subject but a vibrant journey through time. His extensive publication records in reputable local, national and international journals, provides tangible evidence of his research acumen. Dr. Odeh’s work convinces readers of the depth of his understanding and the significance of his scholarly landscape. The over ten books he authored stands as compelling arguments in favour of his intellectual prowess. Each book is a testament to his ability to distill intricate historical narratives into compelling stories that engages and convinces readers of the importance of shared past. Odeh’s affiliation with ,and as member, Historical Society Nigeria (MHSN); Fellow Institute of Disaster Management and Safety Science (FDMSS), Fellow African Society of Professional Economists and Strategic Managers (FPESM), and Fellow Institute of Creative and Innovative Management of Nigeria (FCIMN) are convincing endorsements of his standing in the academic community. Additionally, Dr. Odeh is a good conversationalist, and the founding and current Editor of the Satiru International Journal of Peace and Security Studies-a peer reviewed journal of the Department. He is currently the Head of the Department (HoD) of History and Diplomatic Studies, Sokoto State University. He was the Host of the Maiden Edition of the Sokoto State University Democracy Day Lecture, June 11, 2026.
Odeh’s book herein reviewed is titled, “Surayya Abubakar Margai: The First and Only Female Winner of an Election in Sokoto State since 1999 and the Implications for Politics of Gender Inclusion”. This was presented on the Maiden Democracy Lecture and Book Presentation in remembrance of the late Hajiya Tuni Margai on Thursday 11, June, 2026. The theme of the lecture is “Local Seats, Global Standards: Nigeria’s Gender Inclusion and Development Implications”. The book is a timely and bold intervention in Nigerian political historiography. It documents and examines the socio-cultural and political milieu from which Surayya Abubakar Margai emerged as a “ceiling breaker” in Sokoto politics-a development that would forever redefine women’s political participation and discourse in the state but undermined by analysts and scholars.
The book is dedicated to Hajiya Amina Yusuf Garba, MON, mni, Tambarar Binji, and is structured into nine simple chapters. By dedicating the volume to Mrs. Amina, the author shows a great wisdom given the leading roles the dedicatee had played as an accomplished administrator and a role model to Sokoto girl-child and women education. Education prepares women for political relevance. More so, that she is the female pioneer registrar of the university where the author teaches.
The Foreword is written by Christopher O. Ngara, Ph.D., Ag. Director, Department of Democracy & Governance, National Institute for Legislative & Democratic Studies, (NILDS), National Assembly, Abuja. The author is meticulous here in his choice giving the center stage NILDS occupy on Nigeria democracy and political participation discourse.
Chapter One: Introduction: This lays the necessary background and set the tone by framing women’s political experience in Nigeria and Sokoto State as a fallout of the broader societal perception of women, despite their historical roles and exploits.
Chapter Two: The Conceptual Issues of Female Gender and Elections: It clarifies key terms –gender, sex, gender roles, and sex roles-and distinguishes biological sex from socially constructed gender roles. The chapter locates elections within the tradition of popular sovereignty dating to the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) and, citing authorities including Anifowose and Egwemi, argues that elections are a crucial element of democratic maturity, best measured by the conduct of periodic free, fair, and gender-inclusive polls. The chapter further distinguishes conventional from unconventional political participation and contends that women’s political participation in Sokoto has been lopsided: while women vote men, men have not voted for women. Hence, from 1999 to 2026, only one woman has contested and won an election in the state.
Chapter Three: Overview Of Sokoto State and Kebbe Local Government Area: The Home of Surayya Abubakar Margai: The chapter underscores the watertight relationship between history, geography, and politics. In this regard, Kebbe LGA stands out among the 23 LGAs as the home of the state’s only elected female officeholder since 1999.
Chapter Four: Brief Biographic Notes on Surraya Abubakar Margai and Hajiya Tuni Margai: This traces Surayya’s early life, education, and pre- and post-councillorship experiences, noting that her husband currently serves as councilor in the same council. On the other hand, the life and times of Hajiya Tuni Margai, and the incredible role she played leading to the emergence of her granddaughter, are tersely explored in the text. The diplomatic implications of Surayya’s electoral victory, which was midwifed by Tuni and Senator Wamakko, are clearly pointed out. The chapter notes that to be born to Margai community, like other communities in Sokoto and in traditionally patriarchal society, is to be born into political silence, arising from the fact that while males were taught authority, on the contrary, women were taught humility and how to be an obedient wife. However, text argues that Tuni’s worldview was broadened because of her experience in Ibadan, where she resided for several years with her husband. In the political economy of Nigeria, as the chapter argues, Ibadan is not just a city but a curriculum. While Sokoto’s political space told women to defer, Ibadan’s market unions and party wards showed Tuni that women could participate and direct. Thus, when the opportunity came instead of presenting a male candidate, she presented a female candidate. The consequence of this act, while Surayya became the “woman of first”, Tuni became the “woman of cause” as argued in the chapter. Chapter ends by pointing out the diplomatic implications of Surayya’s electoral victory, which was midwifed by Tuni and Senator Wamakko, arguing that when Nigeria is asked at AU, ECOWAS or UN about her subnational records of women’s elective representation, Sokoto State no longer says “zero”, but says Hon.Surayya Margai, 2008.
Chapter Five: Elections and Administrations in Sokoto State before and after Surayya’s Times: the section reviews electoral cycles from 1999 to 2023, with the 2027 ahead, and catalogues political leadership from President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu; from Attahiru Bafarawa to Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto at state level; and from Hon. Garba Aliyu Maitumbi Kebbe to Hon. Musa Garba Kuchi in Kebbe LGA; and, Hon. Bala Bawa Margai to Hon. Sama’ila Shaharu of Margai ward “B”. It drives home Odeh’s thesis: except for Surayya’s councillorship, Sokoto has produced no elected female political leader at federal, state, or local level.
Chapter Six: Opportunities and Obstacles to Women in Sokoto Politics: Pre-And Post-Surraya’s Years, weighs the constitutional and policy framework-the 1999 Constitution , Sokoto LGA election guidelines, National Gender Policy of 2006, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Not Too Young To Run Act of 2018, and the 2019 Youth Policy-against persistent barriers : purdah (a kind of social seclusion), godfatherism, economic dependence , low education, and insecurity. Chapter contends that Sokoto women were kept in strict purdah until 1979 and that it was that year many came out to participate in the general elections, likely influenced by the candidacy of Alh.Shehu Shagari, who was a native of Sokoto. Despite opportunities and appointments of women as commissioners and party leaders, the chapter upholds that electoral office has remained elusive. The chapter recommends education, awareness campaigns, and sustained NGO support for electoral success and victory of women in years to come.
Chapter Seven: Epic Emergence and Electoral Victory of Surrayya Abubakar Margai: The Celling Breaker: It attributes her rise to the influence of Hajiya Tuni Margai, an ANPP EXCO member, and Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Sarkin Yamma Sokoto. In a break from cultural expectations, Wamakko accepted Tuni’s nomination of her granddaughter, Surayya, as councillorship candidate. In 2008, Surayya defeated Musa Danbawa of the DPP, thereby making history. The volume include her campaign poster for posterity.
Chapter Eight: Epitomic Lessons from Surayya’s Story, argues that her victory shows how culturally embedded challenges can be confronted with determination, political will, good leadership, and strategic support from political godfathers and godmothers.
Chapter Nine: Conclusion, reaffirms that no woman before or after Surayya has won an election in Sokoto State-a historical fact this study rescues from obscurity. It calls on northern political figures including Attahiru Bafarawa, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Senator Abdullaziz Yari, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Mr. Nasir E-Rufai, and Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto to champion women’s advancement ahead of 2027.
The text ends with addendum one and two respectively. Addendum one, contains details of Hajiya Amina Yusuf Garba, MON, mni, Tambarar Binji, a Sokoto women with a rich menu of administrative, professional and political experience, which it makes a case for her consideration for political or elective office by the political godfathers and kingmakers in Sokoto State. Addendum two, is a brief on APC Northwest Women Leader, Hajiya Hadiza Alhaji, who was elected at the party Zonal Congress held in Kaduna in March 2026. It takes a look at her early life, education and her service in the Central Bank of Nigeria until her voluntary retirement in December 2024. Her five-point political agenda, which includes unity among women, institutionalizing gender inclusion, political enlightenment, peace, and statecraft, is noted. The text notes her as one of the subscribers to “reserved seat for women” championed by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The text hopes she brings to the field the administrative rigor that distinguished her decades of service at the CBN.
In overall, Odeh’s work is lucid, accessible, and rich in primary detail. It fills a glaring gap in literature on gender and electoral politics in northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large, and will undoubtedly stimulate more debate ahead of the 2027 general elections and beyond .The inclusion of campaign poster/ material, and pictures of outstanding political personalities like His Excellency, Senator Aliyu Margatakarda Wamakko, Sarkin Yamma Sokoto, and Hajiya Tuni Margai, strengthens its value as a historical document. However, some chapters would benefit from expansion in subsequent editions to deepen analysis and increases the volume’s heft.
In all, the book is a mine of information with methodological rigor expected of historical research. It is therefore, strongly recommended for activists, scholars of gender studies, political science, and Nigerian history, as well as policymakers, female diplomats and political actors interested in inclusive governance.
No comments