Peter Obi wanted Aisha Yesufu to run for Reps, but she chose Senate — NDC

The National Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress [NDC], Ikenna Enekweizu, says the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, preferred that activist Aisha Yesufu contest the AMAC/Gwari House of Representatives seat instead of the Federal Capital Territory Senate seat.

Enekweizu disclosed this on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Wednesday while addressing controversies around Yesufu’s participation in the party’s primaries.

—Obi pushed for AMAC/Gwari Reps seat—

According to him, discussions between Obi and the party leadership after the former Anambra governor joined the NDC centred on building consensus around the party’s candidate for the AMAC/Gwari federal constituency seat.

“When Peter Obi joined the party, part of what we wanted to do with him was to allow him help us build consensus on who will be the candidate of the party for the AMAC/Gwari seat,” Enekweizu said.

“He told me personally that he wanted Aisha Yesufu to run for the House of Representatives seat of AMAC/Gwari. But two or three days after he said this to me, I was surprised to read on social media that Aisha is running for Senate. We didn’t discuss that.”

—Two meetings to persuade her—

The NDC scribe said the party subsequently tried to persuade Yesufu to drop her Senate ambition and contest for the House of Representatives instead.

“The national leader of the party invited Aisha Yesufu, met with her twice, appealing to her to run for the House of Representatives,” he said.

However, Enekweizu said Yesufu insisted on the Senate race.

“But Aisha said she was bigger than the Reps office. She said she wanted to be a senator and nothing would stop her from going to the Senate. So we allowed her to run,” he added.

–Lost primary, urged to use dispute mechanism—

The NDC secretary noted that Yesufu eventually lost the primary election and advised her to use the party’s internal dispute-resolution mechanisms if she had concerns about the process.

“Aisha Yesufu lost the primary election. If she feels aggrieved, a lot of people who also lost the primaries in other constituencies have been reaching out to us,” he said.

Enekweizu also dismissed claims that Yesufu was unfairly treated, noting that several supporters of Obi contested for the same position.

“She’s not the only supporter of Peter Obi that ran for AMAC/Gwari. Twenty-three aspirants bought the expression of interest and nomination form. How do we manage them all?” he asked.

—Dickson confirms offer–

His remarks came days after the NDC’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson, revealed that the party had offered Yesufu a House of Representatives ticket, but she declined in favour of pursuing a Senate seat ahead of the 2027 elections.