Aisha Yesufu Slams Dickson Over Comments on Peter Obi, NDC Leadership

Aisha Yesufu Slams Dickson Over Comments on Peter Obi, NDC Leadership

Popular activist and member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has criticised the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, accusing him of displaying political insecurity and behaving as though he was in competition with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Yesufu made the remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, reacting to Dickson’s interview on ARISE News, where he defended the NDC leadership and responded to criticism that followed the party’s recent primaries.

She said parts of the interview were “painfully appalling,” arguing that Dickson missed an opportunity to unite the party and reassure members ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to her, the interview should have focused on strengthening the party and promoting its candidates rather than highlighting internal disagreements.

“This part of the interview was so painfully appalling to watch. It looked as if you were insecure and in competition with your presidential candidate,” she wrote.

Yesufu argued that as a party leader, Dickson’s primary responsibility should be to calm tensions and build confidence among members, especially after a heated primary process.

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She added that his comments instead risked deepening divisions and sending the wrong message to supporters and aspirants.

The activist also rejected Dickson’s suggestion that some party members may have violated internal rules due to their popularity, insisting she followed due process during the primaries.

She maintained that she complied with party guidelines, even when uncertainty surrounded the conduct of certain primaries, including Senate contests, which she said were later addressed through internal adjustments.

Yesufu further disclosed that she had engaged supporters in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ease tensions after disagreements over the primaries.

She accused Dickson of treating the NDC as a platform that had already achieved its purpose upon registration, rather than a political movement focused on winning elections.

“With all due respect, sir, it looks as if you consider the NDC a special purpose vehicle whose aim has been achieved just by being registered instead of a political party whose aim is to win the 2027 general election decisively,” she said.

Yesufu stressed that political leadership requires humility and the ability to manage grievances, noting that unity remains critical for electoral success.

She said leaders must prioritise persuasion and reconciliation, especially in moments of internal disagreement, warning that alienating supporters could weaken the party’s chances in 2027.

“As a leader of a political party, your number one job… was to pacify aspirants… but you ended up antagonising the very people you would need to win an election. Every vote counts!” she said.

Yesufu also emphasised that the focus of political actors should remain on addressing Nigeria’s challenges rather than internal ego battles.

“There is a whole battle ahead of us. Rescuing Nigeria from the current state it is in should be the main focus, not people’s fragile ego,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dickson had earlier defended the NDC leadership, insisting the party remained united despite disagreements that emerged after the primaries and dismissing what he described as counterproductive attacks from some Obi supporters.

Aisha Yesufu Slams Dickson Over Comments on Peter Obi, NDC Leadership