Human rights activist and politician Aisha Yesufu has publicly challenged the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over the party’s handling of its Federal Capital Territory senatorial ticket.
In a video circulating online, Yesufu was seen confronting party officials, including National Secretary Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, over the process that produced the party’s candidate for the FCT seat.
The dispute followed the party’s decision not to award her the ticket, with officials reportedly citing her recent entry into the NDC as a factor in the outcome.
Reacting to the development, Yesufu accused the party leadership of failing to keep commitments made to aspirants regarding how the selection process would be conducted.
She specifically criticised the National Secretary, arguing that public assurances should not be given unless the party is prepared to honour them.
“The National Secretary did not have what it took to vote for every local government, then he shouldn’t have put out a statement to the world that he was going to do that.
“If we do something, we must stand by our word. It is official, it is outside, it is on our official channels,” she said.
Yesufu also rejected claims that she withdrew from the race, insisting that she remained a contestant until the end of the process.
“I did not quit, I did not drop out of the race. I stayed to the end,” she stated in a message titled, “On the Record: NDC Primaries… A Better Abuja Is Inevitable.”
She added that she would have accepted defeat if the process had been transparent and credible.
“I was told repeatedly that I can’t relate to this party. Who does that? My name has been dragged all over the place.
“At the end of all those times, I said I’m ready. If I lost, I lost,” she said.
