Politics
NDC breached Electoral Act in FCT Senate ticket process – Aisha Yesufu
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Activist Aisha Yesufu has accused the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) of subverting the process for selecting the party’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial candidate, saying she could not compromise her values in a process she described as unjust.
Yesufu made the allegation in a statement issued on Friday night, hours after announcing that the party would not be conducting primaries for the FCT Senate seat, effectively ending her bid for the ticket.
The activist had declared her intention to contest the race on May 6 after joining the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying her decision was inspired by the leadership experience she gained in her former party.
Her declaration came amid growing speculation that the party had already resolved to hand the FCT Senate ticket to another aspirant, Amanda Pam, who had been a member of the party before Yesufu joined.
Addressing supporters earlier on Friday, Yesufu urged them to remain calm and focus on the broader political objective ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a subsequent statement, however, she alleged that the process leading to the emergence of the party’s candidate was marred by injustice and violations of electoral guidelines.
“I understood what I was getting into. I knew that the quality of our politics has not yet risen to the occasion, that values-based candidates do not easily emerge by merit in a system built to resist them,” she said.
“But I made a decision going in: I would not compromise my values. I would stand for what is right. I did not leave advocacy to go into politics. I took advocacy into politics.”
Yesufu said she built her campaign on grassroots credibility and argued that the strength of her “SAY-Nation” movement altered the course of the party’s decision-making process.
According to her, the team became so formidable that the selection process “had to be taken out of the open and resolved through a clandestine affirmation behind closed doors.”
She further alleged that “what was billed as a primary was, in truth, a predetermined outcome dressed in procedural formalities”.
The activist claimed that the FCT senate primary process was repeatedly delayed, with venues changed at the last minute and party guidelines ignored.
“The delegate-based process was introduced to be conducted at a central location instead of direct primaries at Local Government headquarters,” she claimed.
“When the moment came, the contest was not decided by delegates in the open; it was affirmed in a closed room, away from the people whose voices it was supposed to reflect.”
She added that while the party may present the exercise as transparent, the events surrounding the process did not reflect fairness.
“The party may go on to release statements about the free and fair nature of the primary, but the facts that transpired, when weighed against conscience and the guidelines of the Electoral Act, do not reflect justice and fairness,” she said.
Explaining why she did not immediately challenge the outcome, Yesufu said she preferred to learn from the experience rather than become entangled in a lengthy grievance process.
“I ran to win. But when the process was subverted, I made a choice: I would not exhaust myself in a grievance process designed to wear people down. I chose instead to extract every lesson this experience had to offer,” she said.
“I now understand the architecture of the system in ways no textbook, no punditry, no amount of outside observation could ever teach.
“That knowledge is worth more than any petition I could have filed. I leave this process with something far more valuable than a ticket; I leave with clarity.”
Yesufu stressed that her account was limited to her experience in the FCT Senate contest and should not be interpreted as a reflection of events in other states.
Despite her criticisms, she maintained confidence in the party’s broader political role ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Despite its shortcomings, the NDC remains the only party that has given the best presidential candidate in the 2027 electoral cycle a platform to run,” she said.
The NDC had not issued an official response to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
Politics
Wike blows hot: Says Amaechi unfit for Vice Presidency, slams NBA for acting like a ‘political party’
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, launched a blistering attack on his longtime political adversary and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, declaring that anyone who once shut down courts is fundamentally unfit to serve as Nigeria’s Vice President.
Speaking on Wednesday during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, the former Rivers State governor spared no words as he took aim at both Amaechi and the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Addressing journalists, Wike urged Nigerians to critically examine the past actions of political figures claiming to champion democracy and the rule of law before trusting them with high office.
“Rotimi Amaechi, who wants to be Vice President today, once shut down the courts in Rivers State and caused a pregnant woman to give birth in prison,” Wike said.
The minister argued that such precedents should automatically disqualify political aspirants from occupying sensitive executive positions, emphasizing that a track record of undermining the judiciary cannot be brushed aside.
Wike further broadened his critique to target the NBA, accusing the legal body of abandoning its historic role as an impartial defender of justice and constitutionalism in favor of partisan politics.
“The Nigerian Bar Association has now taken sides politically. They are now a political party,” Wike declared.
He maintained that the association ought to remain an independent institution dedicated to upholding the rule of law, rather than serving as an arena for political contests or offering platforms that amount to partisan endorsements.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will not remain passive and allow former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to win the 2027 presidential election, as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the polls.
Wike, who spoke on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in PortHacouct , Rivers State, also dismissed reports that he was planning to relocate to Rivers State, saying his frequent visits to the state were part of efforts to remain politically engaged with his people.
“You want me to fold my hand for Atiku Abubakar to come and win the election?” Wike asked.
The minister said he had no intention of abandoning his responsibilities in Abuja but would continue to maintain close contact with political developments in Rivers State.
“It’s not about relocating; it’s about coming home to relate with the people and talk to them, and also do those things you know how to do very well, not to take chances,” he said.
“So, I’m not relocating. I don’t need to relocate, but I also have to be in touch with my people so that I don’t just sit in Abuja and then say that everything is going on there well.”
According to him, he would not rely solely on assurances from political associates that all was well in Rivers State, particularly as the 2027 general election approaches.
“I don’t want to sit in Abuja and candidates are saying, ‘Oh, don’t bother, everything is going on well’. I have to come home and see that all those things are going on. ‘Have you done this? What about this?’” Wike said.
He stressed that the period had become politically significant and required active engagement, insisting that his presence in Rivers State should not be interpreted as a plan to relocate from the nation’s capital.
Wike added that his parents were still alive and that he had strong personal and political ties to his home state, making regular visits necessary as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
Osborn Umahi, the 28-year-old son of the Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has been sworn in as Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Osborn took the oath of office on Tuesday after emerging victorious in the August 22, 2026, local government election, where he contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and attended by political leaders, government officials and other dignitaries, including David Umahi.
With the inauguration, Osborn formally assumed office as chairman of the council.
He had, during his campaign, pledged to focus on infrastructure development, youth empowerment, support for businesses and improved basic services in the local government.
Osborn also pledged to forgo his salary and allowances throughout his tenure, saying he was seeking to serve rather than benefit financially from the office.
His election came as the APC secured all 13 chairmanship positions in the August 22 local government poll in Ebonyi State.
Osborn, an engineer and businessman, studied civil engineering at the University of Surrey in England before obtaining a master’s degree in finance and investment management from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
His father, David Umahi, served as Ebonyi State governor from 2015 to 2023 before he was appointed Minister of Works by the Federal Government.
The younger Umahi now begins his tenure at the Ohaozara council with his campaign promises, including grassroots development and improved public services, expected to shape his administration.
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