Human rights activist and political advocate, Aisha Yesufu, has dismissed reports suggesting she withdrew from the race for the Federal Capital Territory senatorial ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yesufu, in a statement shared via her verified X account on Saturday, insisted that she remained in the contest until the end and never abandoned her ambition.
The activist explained that while she chose not to challenge the outcome of the process in court, her decision should not be interpreted as a withdrawal from the race.
“As the dust settles on the NDC primaries, I want to set the record straight: I did not quit, and I did not drop out of the race,” she stated.
Reflecting on her political journey, Yesufu said she ventured into partisan politics out of a desire to contribute directly to the transformation of the country rather than merely criticising from the sidelines.
According to her, meaningful change requires active participation and a willingness to engage the political system while remaining true to one’s principles.
She noted that she entered the contest fully aware of the challenges facing value-driven candidates in Nigeria’s political environment, which she described as resistant to merit-based leadership.
“I knew the quality of our politics had not yet risen to the level many Nigerians desire, and that candidates driven by values often face an uphill battle,” she said.
Despite the outcome, Yesufu expressed pride in the campaign she ran, describing it as one rooted in grassroots engagement and credibility.
She maintained that throughout the process, she refused to compromise her principles, stressing that her transition into politics did not mean abandoning advocacy.
“I did not leave advocacy for politics; I brought advocacy into politics,” she added.
The activist further said her campaign demonstrated the strength of genuine grassroots support, which she described as impossible to manufacture through political manoeuvring.
Her remarks come amid discussions surrounding the conduct and outcome of the NDC primaries as political parties continue preparations for the 2027 elections.
