Aisha Yesufu Rejected House of Reps Ticket, Said She Was ‘Too Big’ for It – Dickson

Aisha Yesufu Rejected House of Reps Ticket, Said She Was ‘Too Big’ for It – Dickson

 

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has revealed that prominent activist Aisha Yesufu turned down an offer to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives, insisting that the position was beneath her political ambition.

Dickson disclosed this while responding to questions over internal party disputes and allegations surrounding the distribution of elective tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the offer was jointly made by him and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as part of efforts to accommodate key figures within the party and ensure inclusiveness in its emerging political structure.

“Do you know that Peter Obi and myself offered Aisha House of Reps? You the public, you don’t know,” Dickson said during the media briefing.

“She turned it down. House of Representatives that people are fighting for, she said she’s too big for it.”

The former Bayelsa governor said the public was largely unaware of behind-the-scenes negotiations undertaken by the party leadership to resolve concerns over positions and aspirations among influential members.

Although Dickson did not state when the offer was made, he suggested it formed part of discussions surrounding elective offices in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where several aspirants have been jostling for party tickets.

His remarks come against the backdrop of reported disagreements within the NDC over the conduct of its primaries and the allocation of tickets ahead of the next election cycle.

Yesufu, a former convener of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign and one of the most visible figures in the Obidient movement, had earlier indicated interest in contesting the FCT senatorial seat under the NDC platform.

She formally declared her ambition on May 6 after defecting from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying her decision was influenced by the political and leadership experience she gained while in the party.

However, less than a month later, she withdrew from the race after the NDC reportedly handed the FCT Senate ticket to another aspirant, Amanda Pam, who had been a member of the party before Yesufu’s arrival.

Dickson’s latest revelation provides fresh insight into the internal negotiations that preceded Yesufu’s withdrawal and may further fuel debate over candidate selection and power dynamics within the party as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.