Wike, Aisha Yesufu Trade Words Over Failed NDC FCT Senate Bid

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and activist Aisha Yesufu have engaged in a heated exchange following the latter’s unsuccessful bid to secure the senatorial ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the FCT.

Yesufu had declared her intention to contest the seat on May 6 after joining the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

However, on Friday, she announced that the party would not be conducting primaries for the FCT Senate seat, effectively ending her ambition for the ticket.

Reacting at a luncheon for candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, Wike mocked Yesufu’s political outing, describing her as someone who speaks “grammar” but could not secure an “ordinary” party ticket.

He said, “There’s one woman who said Wike is an appointee of government and that she has no business with appointees. You speak grammar, speak grammar.

“Ordinary primary of NDC, not APC or PDP, just ordinary NDC, what happened? She didn’t make it.

“It’s easy for people to talk… Now, the time for data has come. What happened? ‘Fa fa fa foul. It didn’t work.’”

Wike’s comments triggered a sharp response from Yesufu, who addressed the matter in a post on her official X handle on Sunday.

She challenged the minister to mention her name directly, stating, “If dem born Wike well, make e call my name with his full chest!”

Yesufu also referenced past political events involving Wike, alleging that he had previously failed in his own party ambitions and accusing him of political inconsistency.

She further criticised his political conduct, claiming he had been unable to secure key party positions in the past and had shifted alliances in pursuit of political relevance.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between political figures and activists ahead of the 2027 election cycle, with both sides using public platforms to trade accusations and defend their political standing.