Activist Aisha Yesufu has explained why she declined an offer to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives under the Nigeria Democratic Congress, saying she refused to be part of a process she believed was unfair to other aspirants.
Speaking during a public lecture on citizens’ participation in governance at Veritas University in Abuja on Thursday, Yesufu said she was offered the party’s ticket despite the fact that about 20 people had already purchased nomination forms and were actively seeking the same position.
According to her, accepting the offer would have meant benefiting from a flawed process at the expense of those who had already invested their time, effort and money in the race.
She said she could not support such an arrangement, even if it worked in her favour.
“There were about 20 people who had picked up forms for the ticket, and I was not going to be part of irregularities. I was not going to support that kind of system, even if it was going to benefit me,” she said.
Yesufu maintained that the issue was not about the opportunity itself but about ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the selection process.
She argued that many capable individuals had already paid for nomination forms and deserved equal treatment, adding that pushing them aside after collecting their money would be both unjust and criminal in her view.
She further stated that losing a political contest would never trouble her if the process was fair, stressing that she had no desire to obtain positions or recognition through questionable means.
“I have no problem with losing. I would rather stand with ordinary people than pursue titles and honours through an unfair process. That is how I have always lived my life,” she said.
Yesufu also encouraged young Nigerians to become more actively involved in politics, noting that meaningful participation in governance goes beyond casting votes during elections and requires continuous engagement in the nation’s democratic process.
