Aisha Yesufu Blasts NDC Leader, Senator Dickson — ‘You Have Made Party About Yourself, Not Winning 2027’
Fresh Crack Emerges in Opposition Party as Activist Accuses Former Bayelsa Governor of Prioritising Personal Relevance Over Party Unity
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Fresh tensions have erupted within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following a scathing attack by prominent activist and politician, Aisha Yesufu, against the party’s National Leader and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson.
In a strongly worded statement that has generated widespread reactions across political circles, Yesufu accused Dickson of focusing excessively on his personal image and political relevance at a time when the party should be concentrating on building momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections. (osundefender.com)
The outspoken activist, who recently joined the NDC and declared her intention to contest the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senatorial seat under the party’s platform, expressed disappointment over what she described as a failure of leadership following controversies surrounding the party’s internal primary processes. (LEADERSHIP Newspapers)
According to reports, Yesufu alleged that rather than focusing on reconciliation and rebuilding confidence among aggrieved party members after the primaries, Senator Dickson devoted his public engagements to discussions centered largely on himself. She argued that the party leadership should be concentrating on the broader objective of presenting a formidable challenge in the 2027 elections rather than engaging in actions capable of deepening internal divisions. (Journalist101.com)
The latest confrontation appears to be connected to earlier disagreements over the NDC’s FCT Senate ticket process. In recent weeks, Yesufu publicly questioned the transparency of the process, alleging irregularities and claiming that the party failed to conduct a credible selection exercise for the senatorial seat she sought to contest. (TVC News)
Political observers note that the dispute represents one of the most public disagreements involving senior figures within the relatively young opposition party. The development has fueled concerns among supporters who view unity within the opposition as critical to mounting a serious challenge in the 2027 elections. (Journalist101.com)
Yesufu reportedly maintained that despite her reservations regarding the handling of the primaries, she initially encouraged her supporters to focus on the larger objective of strengthening the party. However, she suggested that recent comments and actions by the party leadership had compelled her to speak out publicly. (Journalist101.com)
The disagreement comes barely weeks after Yesufu formally defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the NDC, citing her support for the political movement around former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and her desire to contribute to what she described as a new political direction for Nigeria. (LEADERSHIP Newspapers)
Meanwhile, Senator Dickson had recently declared that the NDC was positioning itself as a serious political force capable of taking power at the national level, emphasizing party discipline and strategic planning as essential ingredients for success in future elections. (The Guardian Nigeria)
As reactions continue to trail the controversy, political analysts believe the party leadership may face increasing pressure to resolve internal grievances and restore confidence among members if it hopes to maintain cohesion ahead of the 2027 electoral contest.
For now, the exchange between Aisha Yesufu and Senator Seriake Dickson has exposed underlying tensions within the party and highlighted the challenges opposition movements often encounter while attempting to balance internal democracy, leadership ambitions, and electoral preparedness.
Whether the disagreement evolves into a wider crisis or serves as a catalyst for internal reforms remains to be seen. However, the controversy has undoubtedly become one of the most talked-about political developments within Nigeria’s opposition landscape.
Source: Osun Defender, Journalist101, TVC News, Leadership, The Guardian.
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Author: Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
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