“She Couldn’t Win Ordinary NDC Primary”: Wike Mocks Aisha Yesufu

By Emmanuel Kwada

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at prominent activist and politician Aisha Yesufu, mocking her inability to secure the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial ticket for the FCT.

Speaking at a luncheon for candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Wike referenced Yesufu’s earlier criticism of him as a mere government appointee with whom she claimed to have “no business” engaging. He dismissed her as someone who “speaks grammar” but failed to deliver when it mattered in politics.

“There’s one woman (Aisha Yesufu) who said Wike is an appointee of government and that she has no business with appointees. You speak grammar, speak grammar oh. Ordinary primary of NDC, what happened?” Wike said, according to videos and reports circulating on social media. He added that her bid ended in failure, quipping “Fa fa fa foul. It didn’t work.”

Yesufu, a vocal supporter of Peter Obi and known for her activism, recently defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the NDC. She had contested the FCT senatorial primary but alleged that the process was manipulated and predetermined in favour of another aspirant, Amanda Pam, a longtime party member.

In a statement following the exercise, Yesufu claimed the primaries were marred by irregularities, including repeated delays, last-minute venue changes, and a shift from direct primaries at local government levels to a centralized delegate-based process.

She ultimately withdrew her bid, citing a commitment to party unity and focus on the broader 2027 presidential ambition of Peter Obi.

Wike’s remarks have sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising his blunt style while others accused him of political bullying. Yesufu is reported to have fired back at the minister in strong terms.

The development highlights the growing tensions within Nigeria’s opposition political landscape as parties gear up for future elections. Wike, a former Rivers State Governor and influential PDP figure now serving in the current administration, continues to play a vocal role in national politics.

Aisha Yesufu has built a reputation as a fierce critic of governance issues and a champion of good governance, often leveraging social media to engage the public. Her foray into partisan politics has drawn both support and scrutiny.

This incident underscores the rough realities of Nigerian politics, where even experienced activists can face steep challenges in party primaries.