Prominent political activist and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) member, Aisha Yesufu, has charged her supporters to maintain "tunnel vision" toward the 2027 presidential election, urging them to bypass political distractions and focus strictly on electing the party's candidate, Peter Obi.
Yesufu made the call on Thursday via a statement on her social media handle, where she emphasized that the singular objective of the movement remains securing the presidency for Obi.
"My dear supporters, remember, we have moved on and focused on the bigger picture," Yesufu wrote. "Any conversation that is not about the 2027 presidential election and how to get Peter Obi elected and sworn into office, please ignore."
She added that post-election periods would provide ample time for grievances, but the immediate priority must be strategic focus. "After the 2027 General Elections we will have the luxury to respond if it is worth our time. For now, we will continue with our tunnel vision on the presidential election," she stated.
Internal Party Consultations Revealed
Yesufu’s comments come amid fresh disclosures regarding internal friction within the NDC over legislative ticket allocations during past election cycles.
Speaking on Channels Television, the National Secretary of the NDC, Ikenna Enekweizu, shed light on the party’s internal consultation processes, revealing that Peter Obi had personally lobbied for Yesufu to contest a legislative seat.
According to Enekweizu, Obi recommended Yesufu for the House of Representatives seat representing the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC)/Bwari federal constituency. The proposal was part of a broader strategy by party leaders to build consensus and avoid costly primary disputes before the final submission of candidates.
However, Yesufu ultimately declined the lower chamber option.
"Peter Obi told me personally that he wanted Aisha Yesufu to run for the House of Representatives for AMAC/Bwari. But she chose Senate instead," Enekweizu said.
Balancing Individual Ambition and Party Strategy
The NDC scribe defended the party's intervention in candidate selection, explaining that party leadership frequently guides aspirants toward specific roles to ensure geopolitical balance and maximize overall electoral prospects. While acknowledging that aspirants retain the ultimate right to choose, he noted that individual ambitions must align with the organization's broader objectives.
Addressing lingering grievances from aspirants who failed to clinch tickets, Enekweizu remarked that disappointment is an inherent feature of competitive politics. He assured stakeholders that the NDC possesses robust internal mechanisms to manage disputes and reconcile aggrieved members.
The party leadership, he concluded, remains fully engaged in resolving internal friction to ensure the NDC goes into the next electoral cycle as a unified front.