Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has dismissed reports claiming that she withdrew from the race for the Federal Capital Territory senatorial seat under the Nigeria Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yesufu made her position known on Saturday through a detailed statement shared on her verified X account, where she explained that she remained in the contest until the end of the party’s primary process and never stepped away from the race.
According to her, she entered politics because she believed meaningful change requires active participation rather than criticism from the sidelines. She said her decision to seek elective office was driven by a desire to contribute directly to the transformation of the country through leadership and public service.
The activist stated that she was fully aware of the challenges within the political system before joining the contest. She noted that candidates who rely on principles and values often face difficulties in a political environment where merit is not always the deciding factor.
She maintained that throughout the process, she refused to abandon the ideals that had guided her years of advocacy. Rather than separating activism from politics, she said she carried the same convictions into the political arena and remained committed to those beliefs during the campaign.
Yesufu also rejected suggestions that she voluntarily stepped down from the race. She explained that despite the circumstances surrounding the primary election, she remained involved until the process ended. She added that she had no intention of pursuing legal action over what she described as a process that never fully took place in the manner expected.
Reflecting on her campaign, she expressed satisfaction with the efforts made by her team. She said the campaign built strong support at the grassroots level and connected with many residents across the FCT. According to her, the support received was based on credibility and years of engagement with ordinary people rather than political arrangements behind closed doors.
Her clarification comes amid growing discussions about the outcome of the NDC primaries and speculation surrounding the participation of some aspirants.
By addressing the reports directly, Yesufu sought to make it clear that she did not withdraw from the senatorial contest and remained committed to the principles that motivated her entry into politics.