The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has disclosed that prominent activist Aisha Yesufu was offered a House of Representatives ticket by both him and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, but rejected the offer because she was interested in contesting for a Senate seat.
Dickson made the revelation while addressing journalists amid the controversy surrounding the party’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial primary, which has sparked a public disagreement between Yesufu and the NDC leadership.
According to the former Bayelsa State governor, the party leadership made deliberate efforts to accommodate the activist politically, but she declined the opportunity.
“Do you know that Peter Obi and I offered Aisha House of Reps, you the public, you don’t know. And she turned it down. House of Representatives that people are fighting for, she turned it down. She was feeling too big,” Dickson said.
His remarks come as tensions continue to rise following Yesufu’s failure to secure the NDC’s FCT senatorial ticket.
The activist had openly challenged the party’s leadership over the conduct of the primary election, accusing officials of failing to honour commitments made regarding the process.
In a viral video, Yesufu criticised the National Secretary of the party, Barrister Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, and members of the National Executive Committee, alleging irregularities in the selection process.
“The National Secretary did not have what it took to vote for every local government; then he shouldn’t have put out a statement to the world that he was going to do that,” she said.
“If we do something, we must stand by our word. It is official, it is outside, it is on our official channels.”
She also expressed frustration over what she described as unfair treatment despite her commitment to the party.
“I’m not even asking for a level playing ground. I’m asking for the ground,” Yesufu stated.
“I was told repeatedly that I can’t relate to this party. Who does that? My name has been dragged all over the place.”
Yesufu further alleged that the FCT senatorial primary was manipulated and predetermined, insisting that the outcome did not reflect a transparent democratic process.
In a statement titled “On the Record: NDC Primaries… A Better Abuja Is Inevitable,” she maintained that she remained in the race until the end and never withdrew from the contest.
“I did not quit; I did not drop out of the race. I stayed to the end,” she said.
While ruling out legal action over the outcome, Yesufu alleged that the primary process was repeatedly altered through postponements, venue changes and last-minute adjustments to the voting procedure.
The disagreement deepened after the activist publicly criticised Dickson over comments she said focused more on internal disputes than on strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a post on her X account, Yesufu accused the former governor of appearing insecure and competing with the party’s presidential candidate.
“I would like you, as the National leader, to watch this video again. This part of the interview was so painfully appalling to watch. It looked as if you were insecure and in competition with your Presidential Candidate,” she wrote.
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“Your first one-on-one interview after primaries, and instead of selling your candidates and giving confidence to people on how to set the road to winning the 2027 election, you made it about yourself.”
She insisted that she fully participated in the primary process and worked to calm aggrieved supporters after the exercise.
“I toured the FCT, pacifying my supporters and party people who rightfully felt disrespected as they were all waiting at their respective headquarters for primaries that never happened. I played field politics; I never waited for anyone to give me ticket,” she added.
The controversy has exposed growing cracks within the NDC following its FCT senatorial primary, with party leaders and supporters divided over the conduct and outcome of the exercise as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.
