Princess Funmi James a politician from Ekiti state is the National Women Leader of the National Conscience Party, aspiring for the House of Representatives in the upcoming 2015 general elections. In this interview with ENE OSANG, she condemns the current nature of politics of bitterness, adding that politicians should unite for national development irrespective of party differences.
What inspired you into politics?
I have been in the women struggle for a very long time and I have been in politics for some time now, I am a mobiliser and I know it’s the women and children and vote for men. I think it is good for us to come out and participate too and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan have been encouraging women to run for elections and I would say she is a great inspiration for women. Nigeria women have not had it this good and I believe that very soon she will sit back and be happy to see all her efforts manifest.
Was being a politician your childhood dream?
My father Honourable Michael Ogunoye was a politician and a councillor during the first republic, and he was the political associate to Zik, Akintola, and he was one of the Ekiti pillars in politics. I grew up knowing about politics and have always wanted to occupy a political office some day, I thought this is the right time for me and that is why I am aspiring for to be a member of the House of Representatives.
Do you know your constituency well enough to want to be their representative?
Like I said fortunately for me, my father was a politician in the first republic, and I am still threading on that part and intend to do more because he is a known person in my place. I also have an NG0, although there are competitors for that position but in politics you have to agree and disagree and it depends on how you play your own politics, but as far as the situation on ground I think I have upper hand.
What gives you confidence that your constituency wants you as their representative?
In my area we take zoning seriously and if it is not zoned to your place you cannot run for the position so it’s an advantage for me that it is zoned to my place this time around.
What areas do you want to make a difference if you win this election?
Right now we are doing door to door campaign where we mobilise people and tell them to vote for us, at least they have seen what we have been doing all these years. I have been assisting people for a very long time without minding what I get in return so it is my people who ask me to come out and represent them. The men who have been there it’s like when they win the election they forget about the people who elected them but for me, I have not held any political position in the past except the opportunity I have to work with some female political officers in the country and the little I have I try to make sure that I contribute my quota.
Do you face any challenges running for this position?
I have challenges but the major one is finance. Sometimes goodwill can help because if I am to spend 50million now and I have 20million it will go a long way and in the area I come from election is not so expensive rather the people wants to know which family you are from and so, nature and culture plays major role.
Under which party are you coming out?
I am coming under NPC but now in my place people no longer consider the party you are coming from but the candidate.
I was a pioneer member of the PDP but in 2007 when the two elephants began fighting I had to steer clear, so like I said my people are not bothered about party however, NPC has been going round the country and mobilising. We have been following INEC programmes and we are doing well.
How would you describe the current political terrain especially as it affects females aspirants like yourself?
The current political terrain is already hijacked by the money bags but not in all cases that we can lose out and I believe people like us in the rural areas still have upper hand unlike people in the city with the do or die kind of politics. I don’t think politics should be with bitterness; you win some, you lose some but when you engage other people like in my place, we eat together, drive together with other aspirants and we are not bothered, I think that is what politics should be.
What will you say about the rivalry between the two major parties?
It is just politics; I was a member of the All Peoples Congress (APC) and the first female secretary of any political party here in Abuja. My boss Turaki Adamawa and I started APC together but I left them because they don’t have internal democracy and theirs is like a family thing or, like the winner takes it all and I don’t like that. But PDP is a national party and they will remain like that because they don’t care which party you belong, they work with others and that is why they are better off. In APC if you are not their wife, son or family there is nothing for you. We started together but I left them in 2007.
How would you describe politics in Ekiti?
You know in Ekiti we are all enlightened and nobody can lie to you just to discredit somebody rather we believe in the practical things we see. In my state, my Governor Fayose any meaningful thing that happened in the state was during his time so if he wants to come back people will vote for him because it is what you sow today that you will reap tomorrow.
Do you agree that women are their own enemies?
I think things are changing, the major problems we have now is financial, cultural and violence but with the support we are getting now if we have 100 women coming out to contest no doubt we will have at least 30. Sometimes it is not only about money but goodwill; if you are close to the grassroots definitely you will make some impact.
Tell us about your NGO
My NGO; Conscience Women of Africa Initiatives we are the organisers of hospitality Nigeria, we monitor INEC elections everywhere and we empower women and youths. We have offices in 24 states in Nigeria and we are in Uganda, Ghana, Togo and Ivory Coast.
How do you manage work and the home front?
We are many and so most of the work is by division of labour, I am the president they report to me and I play my part.
I am a business consultant and I have been in business for long I have also been in politics for long so it is not a problem. Also, my husband doesn’t live in Nigeria and my children are grown so that is why I am coming out.
What will you advise Nigerians especially women?
I will advise women to come out because there are people who are in politics and they discourage those who are not there by making politics look difficult but those of us into politics know it is not. Politics is like every other profession, if you have dream of becoming something come out and go after your dreams.
Do you have any leisure time?
Yes I do, most Sundays after church service I like reading and researching.
So what are your hobbies?
I read a lot; I don’t have little children again so I have all the time to venture into new things.
What would you say you have achieved in life?
God has blessed me with a good home, good health, I am a middle class Nigerian what else can I ask for?
What are your future expectations?
Apart from politics I am a middle class business woman and in the nearest future, I hope to have accomplished my dreams, I also hope for continuous family protection because I have the great family anyone can wish for.
