Activist Aisha Yesufu has revealed why she declined an offer to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying she refused to benefit from what she described as an unfair and unjust political process.
Speaking at a public lecture on citizens’ participation in governance at Veritas University Abuja on Thursday, Yesufu disclosed that she turned down the party’s ticket because about 20 aspirants had already purchased nomination forms and were actively contesting for the position.
According to her, accepting the offer would have unfairly undermined the efforts and financial commitments of other aspirants who had followed the party’s nomination process.
“There were about 20 people who had picked up forms for the ticket, and I was not going to be part of irregularities. I was not going to be part of that system even though it was going to benefit me,” she said.
Yesufu maintained that the process was fundamentally flawed and would have denied other qualified aspirants a fair opportunity.
“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 unjust, the activist said any political movement that claims to uphold the rule of law must also be committed to fairness and due process.
“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 asked.
She stressed that she would rather lose an election than secure political office through a process she considered unfair.
“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.
Yesufu also called on young Nigerians to take a more active role in politics, emphasizing that meaningful political participation extends beyond casting votes during elections.
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