Aisha Yesufu Loses FCT NDC Senatorial Primary to Amanda Pam

Popular socio-political activist, Aisha Yesufu, has lost the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial primary election for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), after delegates elected party chieftain Amanda Pam as the flag bearer.

The primary, which held ahead of the forthcoming general elections, ended with Pam emerging victorious over Yesufu in a closely watched contest that drew attention from political observers and social media supporters of the activist.

Yesufu, known for her outspoken advocacy on governance and civic accountability, had entered the race on the platform of the NDC with a campaign centred on improving representation for residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

She had consistently argued that her ambition was driven by the need to address systemic challenges in Abuja and ensure stronger legislative voice for its inhabitants at the National Assembly.

However, the outcome of the primary saw delegates of the party endorsing Amanda Pam, a senior figure within the NDC structure, as the party’s senatorial candidate for the FCT.

Pam’s victory has since generated widespread reactions across social media platforms, particularly among supporters of Yesufu, who has a large online following and is widely recognised for her activism.

Following the announcement, some social media users contrasted Yesufu’s influence in digital spaces with the grassroots political structure that delivered Pam’s victory, arguing that internal party organisation played a decisive role.

A Facebook user, Comrade Idris Omuya, described the outcome as evidence of the difference between online popularity and political structure.

He wrote: “Politics is local, not social media and TV ranting. She has the structure and Aisha has the Twitter likes and Instagram comments, and elections are not won on social media.”

Another comment circulated online also mocked the outcome, suggesting that grassroots mobilisation, rather than online engagement, determined the result of the primary.

The development has since sparked debates among political commentators over the growing intersection between social media activism and traditional party politics in Nigeria.

Yesufu, a prominent supporter of the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has not yet issued a formal response following the outcome of the primary.

The NDC senatorial primary in the FCT is part of a series of internal party elections ahead of the next general elections, as political parties conclude candidate selection processes across the country.