Aisha Yesufu explains why she rejected NDC House of Reps ticket
Socio-political activist Aisha Yesufu has explained why she turned down an offer to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying she refused to benefit from what she described as an unfair and unjust process.
Speaking on Thursday during a public lecture titled "Citizens' Participation in Governance" at Veritas University in Bwari, Abuja, Yesufu said she declined the offer because about 20 aspirants had already purchased nomination forms and were legitimately contesting for the party's ticket.
According to her, accepting the ticket would have undermined the efforts and investments of those who had followed the established process.
"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.
She maintained that her decision was driven by her commitment to fairness and the rule of law.
"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," Yesufu stated.
Describing the arrangement as deeply flawed, the activist argued that no political ambition was worth compromising justice.
"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 asked.
Yesufu stressed that she would rather lose a political opportunity than gain from what she considers an unfair 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 added.
Her remarks came after NDC National Leader Seriake Dickson revealed that he and the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had offered her the House of Representatives ticket, an offer she ultimately rejected.
The development follows controversy surrounding the party's Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial primaries, which Yesufu later alleged were manipulated against her.
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