Prominent activist and politician, Aisha Yesufu, has alleged that the primary election process for the Federal Capital Territory Senate ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was manipulated and failed to meet standards of fairness and transparency.
Yesufu, who recently joined the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and declared her intention to contest for the FCT Senate seat, said she entered the race with the goal of winning through a credible democratic process.
Speaking in a statement released on Friday, the activist claimed that the primary election process was compromised and did not reflect the wishes of party members. According to her, what was presented as a competitive primary had already been decided before voting procedures were concluded.
She alleged that the process was repeatedly altered through last-minute venue changes and deviations from established party guidelines. Yesufu further claimed that a delegate-based system was introduced and that the final decision was reached behind closed doors rather than through an open and transparent contest.
The activist stated that she could not compromise her principles by accepting what she described as an unfair process. She maintained that her political ambition was driven by a desire to bring integrity and accountability into governance.
“Yes, I ran to win, but I also entered politics to defend the values I have always stood for,” she said, adding that the experience provided her with deeper insight into the realities of Nigeria’s political system.
Despite her concerns, Yesufu noted that her criticism was limited to her experience in the FCT Senate race and should not be interpreted as a judgment on primary elections conducted in other states.
She also reiterated her support for the NDC’s broader political vision ahead of the 2027 general election, describing the party as a viable platform for national political change.
The NDC has not officially responded to the allegations. However, the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, had previously assured aspirants of a level playing field and stated that no candidate had received special endorsement from the party leadership.
