Socio-political activist, Aisha Yesufu, has explained why she declined an offer to contest for a House of Representatives seat on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking on Thursday at a public lecture on “Citizens’ Participation in Governance” at Veritas University, Bwari, Abuja, Yesufu said she rejected the ticket because several aspirants had already purchased nomination forms and were legitimately seeking the position.
“About 20 people had picked up forms for the ticket and I was not going to be part of irregularities. I was not going to be part of that system even though it was going to benefit me,” she said.
According to her, accepting the offer would have disadvantaged other aspirants who had invested resources and effort in the process.
“The reason I didn’t take it was because of the process. There were about 20 competent people from whom money had been collected during the process who would be shortchanged,” she stated.
Describing the arrangement as fundamentally flawed, Yesufu added: “The process was unjust; in my view, it was criminal. If we claim to be guided by the law, then why should we do something unjust?”
She stressed that she would rather lose than benefit from an unfair political process.
“I have no problem with losing. I would rather stand with ordinary people than pursue titles and honours through an unfair process. That is how I have always lived my life,” she said.
Her remarks came after NDC National Leader, Seriake Dickson, disclosed that he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had offered her the House of Representatives ticket, which she declined.
The disclosure followed controversy surrounding the party’s FCT senatorial primaries, which Yesufu later alleged were manipulated against her.
At the lecture, Yesufu also urged young Nigerians to become active participants in politics, arguing that meaningful political engagement goes beyond voting on election day.
Speaking earlier, human rights lawyer Dr. Maxwell Opara identified the judiciary as Nigeria’s biggest challenge, alleging that delays, procedural bottlenecks and selective enforcement of court judgments were weakening democratic institutions.
He called for active citizen engagement to strengthen accountability, a position echoed by Yesufu as both speakers advocated greater public participation in governance.
