Aisha Yesufu Alleges Foul Play in NDC FCT Senate Ticket Race

Prominent activist and political advocate, Aisha Yesufu, has alleged that the process leading to the emergence of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senate seat was manipulated, claiming that the exercise fell short of transparency and fairness.

Yesufu, a close ally of Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, made the allegation after it emerged that the NDC would not conduct a primary election for the FCT senatorial ticket, effectively ending her bid for the position.

The activist had joined the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) earlier this month and subsequently declared her intention to contest the FCT Senate seat, citing her political experience and commitment to values-based leadership.

In a statement issued on Friday, Yesufu urged her supporters to remain peaceful and focused on the broader political objective ahead of the 2027 general elections despite the setback.

She later released a more detailed account in which she accused party officials of undermining the process through what she described as procedural irregularities and predetermined decisions.

According to her, she entered the race with the intention of winning but was unwilling to compromise her principles in pursuit of political office.

“I ran to win. But when the process was subverted, I made a choice: I would not exhaust myself in a grievance process designed to wear people down,” she said.

Yesufu maintained that she took her advocacy for accountability and justice into politics and had hoped to see those values reflected in the conduct of the party’s internal processes.

She claimed that what was initially presented as a democratic contest gradually evolved into a process whose outcome had already been decided behind closed doors.

The activist alleged that the proposed primary election suffered repeated postponements and venue changes, while party guidelines were allegedly altered along the way.

She further argued that a delegate-based process was introduced in place of direct primaries and that the final decision was not openly determined by delegates as expected.

“What was billed as a primary was, in truth, a predetermined outcome dressed in procedural formalities,” she stated.

Despite her grievances, Yesufu said she would not pursue an internal dispute process, insisting that the experience had provided her with a deeper understanding of Nigeria’s political system.

“I leave this process with something far more valuable than a ticket; I leave with clarity,” she added.

The activist, however, clarified that her account related solely to the FCT Senate contest and should not be interpreted as a reflection of activities in other states where the party conducted primaries.

She also reaffirmed her support for the NDC, describing it as the platform that currently offers what she considers the strongest presidential option ahead of the 2027 elections.

The controversy follows recent speculation that the party had favoured another aspirant, Amanda Pam, for the FCT senatorial ticket because of her longer-standing membership of the party.

The NDC has yet to officially respond to Yesufu’s allegations. However, the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, had earlier dismissed claims of preferential treatment, insisting that no aspirant had been endorsed and that all contestants would enjoy a level playing field.

The development adds another twist to the unfolding political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with several politicians and activists joining emerging platforms in search of new opportunities and alliances.