By Ayodele Oni
Activist Aisha Yesufu has revealed reasons for her refusal to obtain nomination form for the House of Representatives under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). She did not want to be part of “irregularities”, she disclosed.
According to her, she turned down an offer to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives because “About 20 people had picked up forms for the ticket and I was not going to be part of irregularities.”
She was speaking at a public lecture on citizens’ participation in governance at Veritas University in Abuja.
Yesufu stated that she rejected the ticket because about 20 people had already purchased nomination forms and were contesting for the position.
“I was not going to be part of that system even though it was going to benefit me,” she said.
She explained that accepting the ticket would have unfairly affected other aspirants who had spent money and effort pursuing the position.
“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 unfair, Yesufu said: “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 added 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.
She also urged young Nigerians to become more involved in politics, stressing that political participation should go beyond voting during elections.
National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, had revealed that he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, initially offered activist Aisha Yesufu a ticket to contest for the House of Representatives, but she declined.
Dickson made the disclosure during a stakeholders’ meeting of the party held in Abuja, amid ongoing internal disagreements within the party.
According to him, the offer was made as part of efforts to involve Yesufu in the party’s political structure, but she reportedly rejected it, saying she was “too big” for the position.
“AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency was offered to Aisha. Dickson told her, ‘I can do this one for her. Even if there are people who have been asking, this one I can give to her unopposed.
“I will make sure she emerges unopposed. No need for primaries. It will be: this is who the party is going with, full stop. This is Peter Obi’s candidate. This is Seriake Dickson’s candidate, full stop.’
“Aisha declined. Apparently she is too big for the House of Representatives; she wants to start with the Senate.
“Even our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, told Aisha, ‘See, take this thing. If I am lying, Aisha should respond and tell me that I am lying.’ He told Aisha, ‘Take this thing. This is good for your career. This is good for your trajectory. You have not been in an elective office before.’
“Aisha said no.”
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