Aishatu Binani
- Name: Aishatu Binani
- Birthdate: August 11, 1971
- Birthplace: Kaduna
- Occupation: Politician
Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, widely known as Aisha Binani, was born on August 11, 1971, in Kaduna, Nigeria. She hails from a prominent family; her father, Dahiru Ahmed Chiroma, was a son of Ahmadu Malabu, an elder brother to Nigeria's first Defence Minister, Muhammadu Ribadu.
Education
Binani began her education in Kaduna and completed her primary schooling at Gwadabawa Primary School in Jimeta, Yola. She attended Government Secondary School in Yola for her secondary education. In 1993, she earned both Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi. She furthered her studies with a certificate in Rural Radio Systems from the University of Southampton in the UK, and obtained a postgraduate diploma in Business Management and a certificate in Data Processing from Nasarawa State University in Keffi.
Political career
Binani entered politics in 2011, winning a seat in the House of Representatives under the People's Democratic Party (PDP), representing the Yola North/Yola South/Girei constituency. During her tenure, she chaired the House Committee on Constituency Outreach and was a member of several other committees, including Appropriations, Land Transport, Millennium Development Goals, Petroleum Resources (Downstream), and Public Service Matters.
In 2019, Binani was elected as the Senator for Adamawa Central under the All Progressives Congress (APC), becoming the only female senator from northern Nigeria in the 9th National Assembly. She served as the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2023 gubernatorial election
Binani made history in 2022 by becoming the first female gubernatorial candidate of the APC after winning the party's primary in Adamawa state, defeating notable figures such as Nuhu Ribadu. Her candidacy was marked by legal challenges, including a nullification of the primaries by a Federal High Court, which was later overturned by the Appeal Court, reinstating her as the APC's candidate.
During the 2023 general election, a controversy arose when the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Ari, prematurely declared Binani as the winner. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nullified this declaration, and the Court of Appeal later affirmed Ahmadu Fintiri as the duly elected Governor of Adamawa state.
Personal life
Binani is married to Professor Ahmed Modibbo, a former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). In recognition of her contributions, she was conferred with the traditional title of "Gimbiyar Adamawa" by the Adamawa Emirate Council in March 2020.
