Binta Garba

Binta Masi Garba (born 17 April 1967) is a Nigerian politician, businesswoman, a philanthropist, a gender equity advocate and administrator, serving as the Senator of Adamawa North Senatorial District of Adamawa State since 2015. She served as Chairperson, Adamawa State chapter of All Progressives Congress and she is the first female State Chairperson of a registered major political party in Nigeria (the All Progressives Congress, Adamawa State Chapter). She is the first politician to represent two different Federal constituencies of two different states: (1999-2007, Kaduna South, Kaduna State and 2007-2011, Madagali/Michika, Adamawa State), He had driven several prominent military figures, including Muhammadu Buhari, Sani Abacha, Ibrahim Babangida, Olusegun Obasanjo and Murtala Muhammad. He grew up in a Christian family but converted to Islam later in life. At an early age, she converted to Christianity which angered her father who, according to her, "burnt everything I had". However, he later came to accept her decision. Her first bid in 1998 was not successful. she contested again in 1999 for the office of Federal House of Representatives and won with 5,000 votes. She was the youngest Federal legislator in Nigeria in 1999. After her first successful tenure, she contested again in 2003 and won against her opponent with a margin of not less than 50,000.

After her third consecutive tenure in the Federal House of Assembly, she re-contested and lost against Titsi Ganama.

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) under the Chairmanship of Bamanga Tukur had serious leadership crisis and a new faction emerged in 2013. The new faction of the PDP was under the Chairmanship of Abubakar Kawu Baraje. The new faction was called the new PDP (nPDP). Binta Masi Garba was appointed the Woman leader of the nPDP. She later joined All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Governor Murtala Nyako and other Governors. She contested and emerged as the Chairman of the Adamawa State Chapter of APC. The victory at the poll made her the first female State Chairman of a registered major political party in Nigeria. The controversies surrounding the election of the Adamawa State Chapter of APC Executives election almost wrecked the party. Binta Masi Garba fought hard to unite the party in Adamawa state She oversaw one of the most successful party primaries in Adamawa State as a seating Chairman of the Adamawa State Chapter of APC. She was given a waiver to contest for the Senate seat in the party primaries and she eventually emerged victorious against her male contender. On 28 May 2015, she won the Senate seat of Adamawa North Senatorial District by winning in 3 local government areas of the 5 LGAs in the zone. Binta has held and chaired several committees in the Upper Chamber which include Chairman Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND.

Awards Binta Masi Garba has won several awards, they include:

Junior Chamber International The Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) in Nigeria Award 2002 PRS - The Women of Merit Gold Award; Prime International - Women in Leadership Merit Award May 2002 Association of Market Women and Men, Abuja Role Model Award Sept 2002 Dame Publication - Nigerian Women Award (Role Model) - 2002 National Women Mobilization Committee Award - our Jewel (NAWOMCO) Leadership Distinction Award (Most Distinguished Representatives) Valuable Contribution to Development of Parliamentary Democracy in Nigeria Award. NCWS; Meritorious Award - 2016 Northern Youth Advocacy for Peace & Development WAELE/ARCELFA Pride of African Woman Award - 2016 National Lyrics & Singers Union Merit Award Christian Association of Nigeria Youth Wing - 2016 Leadership Legislative Award (LLA) Senator of the year Adamawa State - 2016 Modibbo Adama University of Technology – Yola Award of Excellence - 2016 Northeast Star Magazine Media Merit Award Best Female Politician of the Year - 2017 Sheroes Foundation Outstanding leadership Award - 2017 Association of Female Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria. Award of Recognition for selfless Service to Humanity - 2017