Obi Wanted Aisha Yesufu to Run for Reps, Not Senate — NDC Scribe

The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has revealed that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, preferred activist Aisha Yesufu to contest for the AMAC/Gwari House of Representatives seat rather than the Federal Capital Territory Senate position.

The disclosure was made by the National Secretary of the NDC, Ikenna Enekweizu, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

Enekweizu addressed concerns surrounding Yesufu’s participation in the party’s primary elections and explained the circumstances that led to her Senate ambition.

According to him, Obi had personally expressed a desire for Yesufu to contest for the House of Representatives seat as part of efforts to build consensus within the party ahead of the elections.

“When Peter Obi joined the party, part of what we wanted to do with him was to allow him help us build consensus on who will be the candidate of the party for the AMAC/Gwari seat,” Enekweizu said.

He further disclosed that Obi communicated his preference directly to him.

“He told me personally that he wanted Aisha Yesufu to run for the House of Representatives seat of AMAC/Gwari,” he stated.

However, Enekweizu said he was surprised when reports later emerged indicating that Yesufu intended to seek the Senate ticket instead.

“But two or three days after he said this to me, I was surprised to read on social media that Aisha is running for Senate. We didn’t discuss that,” he added.

The NDC official explained that party leaders subsequently made efforts to persuade Yesufu to reconsider her decision and contest for the House of Representatives position.

According to him, the party’s national leader met with the activist on two separate occasions in an attempt to convince her to change her plans.

“The national leader of the party invited Aisha Yesufu, met with her twice, appealing to her to run for the House of Representatives,” Enekweizu said.

Despite those efforts, he noted that Yesufu remained determined to pursue the Senate seat.

“But Aisha said she was bigger than the reps office. She said she wanted to be a senator and nothing would stop her from going to the Senate. So we allowed her to run,” he added.

The development highlights ongoing political consultations within the NDC as the party prepares for future electoral contests and seeks to strengthen its internal structures.