The NDC has disclosed that Peter Obi preferred Aisha Yesufu for the AMAC/Gwari House of Representatives seat rather than her chosen Senate bid, which she ultimately lost in the party primaries
In Abuja, Nigeria, on Wednesday 18 June 2026, the Nigeria Democratic Congress revealed that its presidential candidate Peter Obi had personally preferred activist Aisha Yesufu to contest the AMAC/Gwari House of Representatives seat instead of the Federal Capital Territory Senate position.
Also read: Aisha Yesufu Urges Tunnel Vision on Peter Obi 2027 Win
Ikenna Enekweizu, National Secretary of the NDC, disclosed this during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today while addressing controversies surrounding Yesufu’s participation in the party’s primaries.
“When Peter Obi joined the party, part of what we wanted to do with him was to allow him help us build consensus on who will be the candidate of the party for the AMAC/Gwari seat,” Enekweizu said. “He told me personally that he wanted Aisha Yesufu to run for the House of Representatives seat of AMAC/Gwari.”
The party secretary explained that he was surprised when Yesufu announced her Senate ambition on social media shortly afterwards.
He said the NDC’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, met with her on two separate occasions to appeal for her to step down for the House seat.
“But Aisha said she was bigger than the reps office. She said she wanted to be a senator and nothing would stop her from going to the Senate. So we allowed her to run,” Enekweizu added.
Yesufu eventually lost the FCT senatorial primary. Enekweizu noted that she was not the only Peter Obi supporter who contested the seat, revealing that 23 aspirants had purchased nomination forms.
“Aisha Yesufu lost the primary election. If she feels aggrieved, a lot of people who also lost the primaries in other constituencies have been reaching out to us,” he said. He advised her to explore the party’s internal dispute-resolution mechanisms if necessary.
The development highlights the intense competition and personal ambitions within the newly rebranded opposition party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Yesufu, a vocal supporter of Peter Obi since the 2023 cycle, remains an influential figure in civil society and among the Obidient movement.
Also read: Aisha Yesufu Urges Tunnel Vision on Peter Obi 2027 Win
The NDC has stressed that its internal processes were fair and open, despite the public disappointment expressed by some of Yesufu’s supporters following her defeat.
