I could not compromise my values in NDC FCT senate primary — Aisha Yesufu

Activist and political ally of Peter Obi, Aisha Yesufu, says she refused to compromise her principles following disputes over the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) FCT senatorial primary, which she claims was marred by irregularities.

Yesufu, who recently joined the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had declared her intention to contest the Federal Capital Territory senate seat on May 6. Her entry into the race was initially seen as a significant addition to the party’s internal contest.

However, concerns emerged over the conduct of the party’s selection process, with suggestions that the ticket may have been steered towards another aspirant, Amanda Pam, who had been in the party before Yesufu’s arrival.

In a statement on Friday, Yesufu said the planned primary for the FCT senatorial seat would no longer hold, effectively ending her bid for the ticket.

In a subsequent statement on Friday night, she said she could not “compromise” her values, insisting that the process did not reflect fairness or adherence to electoral guidelines.

“I understood what I was getting into. I knew that the quality of our politics has not yet risen to the occasion,” she said, adding that she entered politics to advance values-driven change.

According to her, what was presented as an internal party primary was undermined by procedural irregularities, including repeated postponements, changes in venue, and alleged deviations from agreed guidelines.

She further alleged that decisions were ultimately taken away from open competition and resolved in closed-door arrangements, rather than through transparent delegate participation.