Aisha Yesufu Reacts as NDC Moves to Hand FCT Senate Ticket to Amanda Pam

Human rights activist and politician Aisha Yesufu has reacted after the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) reportedly decided to abandon direct primaries for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development effectively positions Barrister Amanda Pam as the likely consensus candidate for the FCT Senate race under the NDC platform.

The controversy followed days of intense social media speculation claiming that Yesufu had lost the senatorial primary election to Pam. Critics mocked the activist’s political ambition, arguing that strong social media popularity does not always translate into grassroots political influence.

Reacting to the situation, Yesufu confirmed that the party leadership had decided not to conduct primaries for the FCT senatorial seat, although House of Representatives primaries would still proceed. She urged her supporters to remain calm and focus on the broader political objective ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Before the latest development, reports had suggested that Amanda Pam defeated Yesufu during the party’s internal selection process, with delegates reportedly favoring Pam’s longstanding grassroots political structure and loyalty within the party.

Amanda Pam, popularly known among supporters as “Mama Amanda,” is regarded as a veteran grassroots mobiliser with deep political networks across Abuja’s area councils, including Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, Abaji, Kwali, and the Abuja Municipal Area Council.

Yesufu had only recently defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the NDC, aligning herself politically with former presidential candidate Peter Obi while declaring her intention to contest for the FCT Senate seat.

Political analysts say the episode highlights the continued importance of grassroots political structures in Nigerian elections, despite the growing influence of social media activism and online popularity. Observers also believe the development could shape political alignments within the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections.