Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has revealed that activist Aisha Yesufu was offered a ticket to contest for the House of Representatives but turned it down. Dickson made this disclosure during a media briefing on Thursday, June 11, while addressing issues related to candidate selection, internal disagreements, and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Offer Made by Dickson and Peter Obi
According to Dickson, the offer was extended by himself and NDC presidential hopeful Peter Obi as part of efforts to integrate prominent figures into the party's electoral plans. He stated that the public was unaware of the behind-the-scenes discussions aimed at accommodating key individuals. Dickson said, "Do you know that Peter Obi and myself offered Aisha House of Reps? You the public, you don’t know. She turned it down. House of Representatives that people are fighting for, she said she’s too big for it."
Aisha Yesufu's Political Aspirations
Aisha Yesufu, a vocal supporter of Peter Obi and former convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, had earlier expressed interest in contesting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial seat. She joined the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) but later withdrew from the race after the party reportedly favored another aspirant. Dickson did not specify when the House of Representatives offer was made but indicated it was connected to discussions over political positions within the FCT.
NDC Faces Ticket Controversies
Dickson's comments come amid ongoing debates within the NDC over party primaries and the allocation of tickets ahead of the 2027 elections. The party has been working to resolve internal disagreements and present a unified front. Dickson also addressed the party's decision to accept donations into a designated account for proper auditing, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the authority to audit party spending when necessary.
This revelation sheds light on the complexities of political negotiations and the challenges of accommodating diverse interests within the party. Aisha Yesufu's rejection of the House of Representatives ticket underscores her ambition for a more prominent role, possibly the FCT senatorial seat, which she had initially pursued.
