Prominent activist and political mobilizer Aisha Yesufu has openly criticized the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over the process that produced the party’s candidate for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senate seat ahead of the 2027 elections.
Yesufu, who recently joined the NDC and sought the party’s senatorial ticket for the FCT, expressed dissatisfaction with what she described as the absence of a level playing field and the failure of party leaders to fulfill commitments regarding the selection process.
The controversy arose after veteran politician Amanda Pam emerged as the party’s consensus candidate rather than through a competitive primary election.
According to party officials, the decision was influenced by consultations among stakeholders and considerations including Pam’s longer period of service and involvement within the party structure.
Reacting to the development, Yesufu argued that aspirants had expected a transparent and open contest. She maintained that internal democracy is essential for any political movement seeking to present itself as a credible alternative to existing parties.
Despite her criticisms, Yesufu stopped short of rejecting the outcome. She accepted the party’s decision and emphasized that preserving unity within the NDC remained more important than pursuing personal political ambitions.
The activist subsequently redirected her attention toward supporting the presidential campaign of Peter Obi, the NDC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The disagreement reportedly surfaced shortly before a meeting of the party’s executive leadership, generating debate among party members and supporters.
Reactions to the episode have been mixed. Some supporters praised Yesufu for raising concerns about internal democracy while ultimately respecting the party’s decision. Others argued that consensus arrangements are common political tools used to promote cohesion and avoid divisive contests.
Meanwhile, Obi has urged party members and aspirants to remain focused on the broader objective of building a strong political platform capable of addressing Nigeria’s governance, economic, and social challenges.
Political analysts say the incident highlights the difficulties faced by emerging political parties as they attempt to balance internal democracy, party unity, and strategic political considerations.
As the NDC continues to expand its national profile, observers believe how it manages internal disagreements and candidate selection disputes could significantly influence public perceptions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
