Prominent activist and politician Aisha Yesufu has publicly challenged media organisations over reports suggesting that she voluntarily withdrew or stepped down from the Federal Capital Territory senatorial race, insisting that such accounts misrepresent what actually happened.
In a strongly worded statement shared through her official X account, Yesufu clarified that she did not abandon her senatorial ambition but instead contested for the ticket until the very end of the party’s primary process.
The clarification comes days after reports emerged that the activist would no longer be running for the FCT Senate seat under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) banner.
According to Yesufu, describing her exit from the contest as a withdrawal or resignation is inaccurate.
The activist stated that a primary election was held and another candidate was declared the winner, a process she described as flawed but ultimately chose not to challenge publicly for broader political reasons.
“I did not step down,” she stressed, rejecting the narrative that she voluntarily exited the contest.
Yesufu explained that although she was dissatisfied with the process, she made a conscious decision not to escalate the dispute because of what she considers a more important political objective ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to her, preserving party unity and focusing on the larger national battle outweighed any personal political ambition.
The activist argued that internal conflict over the senatorial ticket could weaken the party at a critical moment when opposition forces are attempting to build momentum ahead of the next general election.
For that reason, she said she accepted the outcome despite her reservations.
Her comments suggest that her decision was driven by strategy rather than surrender.
The outspoken activist emphasised that the 2027 presidential election remains the most important political contest on the horizon and said her attention is now focused on supporting the candidate she believes is best for that race.
She described the presidential contest as the “main prize,” indicating that her political energy will now be directed toward helping shape the national election’s outcome rather than pursuing a legislative seat.
Beyond addressing her supporters, Yesufu also delivered a direct message to journalists and media houses, urging them to correct reports that portray her as someone who willingly abandoned the race.
She warned against what she described as attempts to rewrite the historical record and insisted that accurate reporting is essential for public accountability.
According to her, future generations will ultimately judge how public events are documented and reported.
The controversy adds another chapter to Yesufu’s long history of challenging institutions and public narratives she believes are misleading.
Known internationally for her activism, advocacy for democratic reforms, and prominent role in citizen-led movements, she has built a reputation for speaking directly and forcefully on issues she considers matters of principle.
Her latest intervention reflects that same approach.
Rather than allowing the prevailing narrative to stand, Yesufu has chosen to publicly state her version of events, making it clear that she views the outcome of the senatorial primary as fundamentally different from voluntarily stepping aside.
While the NDC has yet to publicly respond to her latest remarks, the statement is likely to fuel further discussion about the party’s internal processes and the growing political realignments taking shape ahead of 2027.
For Yesufu, however, the immediate concern appears to be ensuring that the public record reflects what she believes truly happened.
“I fought for the ticket,” her statement suggests.
And in her view, that distinction matters.
