Prominent activist Aisha Yesufu has publicly rejected the outcome of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries in Abuja, describing the exercise as a “predetermined outcome dressed in procedural formalities.”
In a strongly worded statement issued after the primaries, Yesufu insisted she “did not quit” the race and “stayed to the end”, while also ruling out any legal challenge to the process.
“I did not quit, I did not drop out of the race. I stayed to the end,” she said. “I also do not intend to litigate a process that was never truly allowed to happen.”
The activist said her decision to contest stemmed from a belief that meaningful change requires direct participation in governance.
“I came into politics from a deep conviction: that to drive the transformation we hope to see, it is not enough to complain from the outside. You must step into the ring with your convictions,” she stated.
Yesufu maintained that her campaign remained true to its principles, noting that she “would not compromise” her values despite what she described as systemic resistance to reform-minded candidates.
Reflecting on her campaign, she expressed pride in what she called a “people-powered” movement, highlighting the role of volunteers and grassroots mobilisation across Abuja.
“Street by street, ward by ward, conversation by conversation, we built something real,” she said, thanking supporters who campaigned in “market squares and motor parks.”
However, she alleged that the credibility of that grassroots effort was undermined by irregularities in the primary process. According to her, the exercise was marred by repeated postponements, last-minute venue changes, and deviations from party guidelines.
“What was billed as a primary was, in truth, a predetermined outcome dressed in procedural formalities,” Yesufu said. She further claimed that “the contest was not decided by delegates in the open; it was affirmed in a closed room.”
Despite these allegations, Yesufu said she deliberately chose not to escalate the matter through litigation, arguing that the process was structured to frustrate challengers.
“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 explained.
Instead, she said the experience had given her deeper insight into Nigeria’s political system. “I leave this process with something far more valuable than a ticket; I leave with clarity,” she added.
While critical of the primaries, Yesufu stopped short of condemning the NDC as a whole, noting that the party still provides a platform for what she described as “the better presidential candidate in the 2027 electoral cycle.”
Looking ahead, she signalled that her political ambitions remain intact, unveiling a broader movement aimed at reshaping governance in the capital.
“This is not the end,” she declared. “What we built, the network, the credibility, the grassroots trust, cannot be taken away in a backroom.”
She concluded with a rallying call to Abuja residents, asserting that “a better Abuja is inevitable” and announcing the emergence of a new political vision under the banner of #ABetterAbuja2031.
“I am not going anywhere. And neither is the idea that Abuja deserves better,” Yesufu said.
