A political war of words has erupted between Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and activist Aisha Yesufu following the outcome of the Federal Capital Territory senatorial primary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The controversy stems from the NDC primary held in late May, in which Yesufu sought the party’s ticket for the FCT Senate seat. She was defeated by Amanda Pam, who emerged as the party’s candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during a political gathering known as the Renewed Hope Luncheon, Wike reportedly referenced Yesufu’s primary defeat while criticizing opposition figures and activists aligned with rival political movements.
The comments triggered a swift response from Yesufu, a prominent voice in the #EndSARS movement and one of the country’s best-known civil society activists.
Although she had earlier criticized aspects of the NDC primary process and described it as flawed, Yesufu publicly accepted the outcome and congratulated Amanda Pam on her victory, urging supporters to remain committed to broader political objectives.
Responding to Wike on social media platform X, Yesufu accused the former Rivers State governor of attempting to mock her democratic participation while ignoring his own political setbacks.
She referenced Wike’s unsuccessful bid for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2022 and used sharp language to dismiss his criticism, escalating the public exchange.
The clash reflects the increasingly heated political atmosphere as parties and political actors position themselves for the 2027 elections.
Yesufu recently joined the NDC as part of efforts to increase political engagement and representation in the Federal Capital Territory, while Wike remains one of the most influential figures in the ruling administration and a central actor in national political debates.
Supporters of Yesufu praised her willingness to participate in party politics and accept defeat, describing it as an example of democratic engagement.
Meanwhile, Wike’s supporters argued that public figures who criticize political processes should also be prepared to face scrutiny when they enter partisan politics.
Political analysts view the exchange as another example of the growing rivalry between establishment political figures and activist-led political movements, a dynamic expected to feature prominently in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.
As political competition intensifies, observers expect similar confrontations to continue shaping public discourse across Nigeria’s increasingly polarized political landscape.
