Human rights activist and politician Aisha Yesufu has openly challenged the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over the conduct of the party's Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial primary, accusing party officials of abandoning commitments made during the process.
The confrontation, captured in a video that has circulated widely online, involved senior party figures, including NDC National Secretary Barr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu and members of the party's National Executive Committee.
The dispute followed the party's decision not to award Yesufu the FCT senatorial ticket, with reports indicating that some party officials cited her relatively recent entry into the NDC as a factor.
Addressing party leaders during the heated exchange, Yesufu accused the National Secretary of failing to honour assurances previously given to party members and aspirants.
“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,” she said.
She added that public commitments made through official party channels should be respected.
“If we do something, we must stand by our word. It is official, it is outside, it is on our official channels,” Yesufu stated.
The activist, known for her role in the #BringBackOurGirls movement and democratic advocacy, said she would have accepted defeat if the process had been transparent and credible.
“I’m not even asking for a level playing ground. I’m asking for the ground,” she said.
According to Yesufu, she endured criticism and attacks while remaining committed to the party and its political objectives.
“I was told repeatedly that I can’t relate to this party. Who does that? My name has been dragged all over the place,” she said.
“At the end of all those times, I said I’m ready. If I lost, I lost. Clearly, I’m ready to call people and say I lost.”
Yesufu also revealed that she initially avoided speaking publicly about the controversy because of her commitment to the party's broader ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.
“People have been calling me and saying, ‘No, don’t react.’ You know why? Because I have a presidential candidate. I have a president,” she said.
Her remarks come days after she publicly questioned the credibility of the NDC's Abuja senatorial primary, alleging that the process was manipulated and predetermined.
In a statement titled *“On the Record: NDC Primaries... A Better Abuja Is Inevitable,”* Yesufu rejected claims that she withdrew from the contest.
“I did not quit, I did not drop out of the race. I stayed to the end,” she said.
While insisting that the process was flawed, she disclosed that she would not challenge the outcome in court.
According to Yesufu, the primary election was marked by repeated postponements, last-minute venue changes and changes to procedures that had earlier been communicated to aspirants and party members.
She further alleged that a delegate-based voting system was eventually introduced and conducted at a central venue rather than through direct primaries across local government areas as originally expected.
Although she acknowledged that party officials may defend the exercise as free and fair, Yesufu argued that the process fell short of democratic standards and the party's own guidelines.
Reflecting on the outcome, she said the experience had reinforced her understanding of Nigeria's political system and the realities of internal party politics.
“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.
The controversy has generated debate among party supporters and political observers, with questions being raised about transparency and internal democracy within the NDC as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.
