Activist and politician Aisha Yesufu has accused the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) of violating electoral guidelines in the process that produced the party’s candidate for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senate seat.
In a statement released on Friday, Yesufu claimed the party failed to conduct a transparent primary election, alleging that the outcome had been predetermined and did not reflect the principles of fairness and internal democracy.
The allegations came shortly after the NDC announced that it would not hold primaries for the FCT Senate ticket, a development that effectively ended Yesufu’s bid for the position.
Yesufu, who joined the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) earlier this year, said she entered the race with a commitment to uphold her values and advocate for transparent political processes.
“I understood what I was getting into, but I made a decision that I would not compromise my values,” she stated, adding that she brought her advocacy principles into politics rather than abandoning them.
According to her, the process initially outlined by the party underwent several changes, including delays and last-minute venue adjustments. She further alleged that the planned delegate-based primary was ultimately replaced by what she described as a closed-door affirmation process.
“What was billed as a primary was, in truth, a predetermined outcome dressed in procedural formalities,” Yesufu said.
She argued that the candidate selection process was conducted in a manner inconsistent with both party guidelines and the provisions of the Electoral Act, claiming that delegates and party members were denied the opportunity to openly determine the outcome.
While expressing disappointment over the exercise, Yesufu said she had chosen not to pursue a prolonged dispute over the matter, preferring instead to learn from the experience and focus on future political engagement.
The activist maintained that her criticisms were limited to her experience in the FCT Senate race and should not be interpreted as a judgment of the party’s activities in other parts of the country.
Despite her concerns, she reiterated her support for the NDC’s broader political objectives ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the party as an important platform in the evolving political landscape.
As of the time of filing this report, the NDC had not issued an official response to the allegations raised by Yesufu.
