Aisha Yesufu, activist and politician, has publicly questioned how the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) picked its candidate for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senatorial District, saying she was not given a fair shot.
Speaking during an interaction with party officials, Yesufu voiced frustration at the explanations for why she did not emerge as the party’s candidate. She said she was recently told that she joined the party late — a reason she suggested hurt her chances.
“I was told recently that I came in late to this party. Who does that? I have endured a lot in the last few days. My name has been dragged all over,” she said.
Yesufu was clear she was not asking for special treatment, but that all aspirants deserved a transparent, credible process. “I am not even asking for a level playing ground, I am asking for a ground,” she stated.
She added she would have accepted the result if the process had been fair. “I am ready to accept that I lost. If I lost fairly, I am ready to accept that I lost,” she added.
Yesufu also recalled assurances allegedly given by party leaders about consultations and stakeholder engagement, saying those promises should have been kept. She did not say whether she would challenge the outcome, and explained she stayed quiet recently because she remained focused on a larger objective. Her remarks come amid growing debate in the party over how candidates were chosen ahead of future elections.
