‘No One Is Interested!’ – Aisha Yusufu Fires NDC National Leader Senator Dickson

Human rights activist and politician, Aisha Yesufu, has criticised the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, accusing him of focusing on personal relevance instead of strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Naija News reports that Yesufu’s criticism followed Dickson’s appearance on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he addressed concerns surrounding the party’s recently concluded primaries and acknowledged reports of irregularities in the exercise.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the activist expressed disappointment with the former Bayelsa State governor’s comments and leadership approach.

Yesufu said she had remained committed to the party’s processes despite disagreements over the conduct of the primaries.

According to her, she accepted decisions made by the party leadership and worked to calm supporters who felt aggrieved by the outcome.

“Dear Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, while I take my time to properly address your allusion of me not playing by the rules which I consider very disingenuous seeing how I followed the process and even when you had insisted there would be no primaries for senate, I let things go and asked my teeming supporters to focus on the bigger picture,” she said.

“I toured the FCT pacifying my supporters and party people who rightfully felt disrespected as they were all waiting at their respective headquarters for primaries that never happened.

“(I played field politics, I never waited for anyone to give me a ticket), I would like you, as the National leader, to watch this video again!”

The activist described part of Dickson’s television interview as troubling, alleging that he appeared more concerned about himself than the party’s electoral prospects.

“This part of the interview was so painfully appalling to watch. It looked as if you were insecure and in competition with your Presidential Candidate,” she said.

“Your first one-on-one interview after primaries, and instead of selling your candidates and giving confidence to people on how to set the road to winning the 2027 election, you made it about yourself.”

Yesufu argued that the NDC should be focused on winning elections rather than celebrating its existence as a political platform.

She said: “With all due respect, sir, it looks as if you consider the NDC a Special Purpose Vehicle whose aim has been achieved just by being registered instead of a Political Party whose aim is to win the 2027 General election decisively.

“The registration of NDC should be a means to an end and not an end in itself.”

The activist also faulted Dickson for allegedly failing to reassure aggrieved aspirants and supporters after the primaries.

She said one of the party leader’s key responsibilities should have been to unite members and encourage them to continue supporting the party.

“As a leader of a political party, your number one job in that interview was to pacify aspirants, many of whom are rightfully aggrieved, and secondly to call on supporters to bear with the party and support it, but you ended up antagonising the very people you would need to win the election,” she said.

According to her, no one within the party was challenging Dickson’s authority as national leader.

The activist added: “No one can take away your leadership of NDC, no one is interested in that! The focus is on Nigeria winning the 2027 election.

“It looked as if you were fighting a war no one was waging with you. You don’t have anything to prove to anyone, just lead!”

Yesufu further accused Dickson of shifting responsibility whenever party processes were criticised.

“It is also interesting how, as a leader, I see you shifting the blame to any process that doesn’t go well or is called out,” she said.

“Take all responsibility! The party is young. It was overwhelmed. Mistakes will be made. Accepting the mistakes and being accountable is how the party will get better.”

She urged party leaders to remain focused on national issues and the opposition’s broader mission ahead of the next general election.

Aisha Yesufu said: “There is a whole battle ahead of us. Rescuing Nigeria from the current state it is in should be the main focus, not people’s fragile ego!”