Activist Aisha Yesufu has accused the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) of breaching provisions of the Electoral Act during the process that produced the party’s candidate for the FCT Senate ticket ahead of the 2027 general election. Yesufu made the allegation after announcing that the party would not conduct primaries for the Federal Capital Territory Senate seat, a development that effectively ended her bid for the Senate ticket. She said the process was inconsistent with fairness and transparency standards expected in democratic party contests.
Yesufu joined the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and formally declared her intention to contest for the Senate seat representing the Federal Capital Territory on May 6. Her entry into the race attracted attention because of her prominence as a civic activist and advocate for political accountability.
The contest emerged amid reports that another aspirant, Amanda Pam, who had been a member of the party before Yesufu’s arrival, was widely believed to be favoured for the position. Discussions surrounding the FCT Senate ticket intensified as party members and supporters monitored preparations for the selection process. The issue has also surfaced during a period of heightened political activity across several parties as aspirants seek nominations ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
In a statement issued on Friday, Yesufu alleged that the process leading to the emergence of the party’s candidate was compromised and failed to reflect democratic principles. She said she entered the race with full awareness of the challenges within Nigeria’s political system but maintained that she would not compromise her values.
According to her, the political movement supporting her candidacy became influential enough to alter the party’s approach to selecting a candidate. She alleged that the process “had to be taken out of the open and resolved through a clandestine affirmation behind closed doors.” Yesufu further claimed that what was presented as a primary election was effectively a predetermined outcome. She stated that the FCT Senate ticket process experienced repeated delays, venue changes, and procedural adjustments that departed from expected guidelines.
“The delegate-based process was introduced to be conducted at a central location instead of direct primaries at Local Government headquarters,” she said. She also alleged that when voting was expected to occur, the final decision was made away from delegates and party members. The activist argued that while the party might publicly describe the exercise as free and fair, the events surrounding the FCT Senate ticket selection did not reflect justice when measured against the Electoral Act and internal party procedures.
Despite her criticism, Yesufu said she would not pursue a prolonged grievance process. She stated that the experience gave her a deeper understanding of political structures and electoral processes beyond what she had previously observed as an activist. She also clarified that her allegations were limited to her experience in the Federal Capital Territory contest and should not be interpreted as an assessment of primaries conducted in other states.
The dispute may raise broader questions about internal party democracy, candidate selection processes, and compliance with electoral regulations ahead of the 2027 elections. Political analysts note that controversies involving party primaries often influence public confidence in electoral institutions and political organisations. Concerns surrounding the FCT Senate ticket process may also attract scrutiny from stakeholders monitoring adherence to democratic standards within emerging political parties.
