Aisha Yesufu, prominent activist and Peter Obi ally, has withdrawn from the Nigeria Democratic Congress senatorial race for the Federal Capital Territory, alleging that the primary process was compromised and violated the Electoral Act.
Yesufu joined the NDC on 6 May after defecting from the African Democratic Congress, declaring her intention to contest the FCT senatorial seat. However, she subsequently lost the party ticket to Amanda Pam, a long-standing party chieftain with established grassroots networks.
In a statement issued Friday, Yesufu said the NDC had decided not to conduct primaries for the FCT senate position, effectively ending her ambition. She disclosed that what was supposed to be a delegate-based primary at local government level was instead conducted at a central location, with the final decision made in a closed-door session rather than in an open, transparent process.
“What was billed as a primary was, in truth, a predetermined outcome dressed in procedural formalities,” Yesufu stated. She alleged that venues were changed at the last minute, party guidelines were not followed, and the process did not reflect the principles outlined in the Electoral Act.
Yesufu said she built a campaign based on grassroots credibility, with her team proving so formidable that “the party’s decision process had to be taken out of the open and resolved through a clandestine affirmation behind closed doors.”
However, Yesufu chose not to pursue formal grievance procedures. Instead, she said she decided to extract lessons from the experience.
“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.
She urged her supporters to remain calm and focus on the broader political objective ahead of the 2027 general election, whilst emphasising that her account reflected only her experience in the FCT race.
Yesufu acknowledged that despite its shortcomings, the NDC remains the platform offering the best presidential candidate in Peter Obi for the 2027 election.
The NDC has not officially responded to Yesufu’s allegations. However, Seriake Dickson, national leader of the party, previously stated that no aspirant was endorsed by party leadership and that all aspirants enjoy equal protection and a level playing field in primary contests.
Amanda Pam, the victor in the FCT senatorial ticket contest, will now face incumbent Senator Ireti Kingibe of the Peoples Democratic Party and veteran politician Philip Aduda of the Labour Party in the 2027 general election.
