The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has stirred fresh controversy after revealing that activist Aisha Yesufu was offered a House of Representatives ticket during the party’s internal negotiations but turned it down.
Seriake Dickson made the disclosure while addressing stakeholders amid rising tensions over the outcome of the NDC primaries in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, the offer was made jointly by him and the party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi as part of efforts to accommodate influential figures within the party structure.
He explained that the intention was to give Yesufu a legislative platform following her participation in the senatorial primary contest.
Dickson stated that Yesufu declined the offer during discussions, insisting that the position did not match her political ambition.
The development comes shortly after Yesufu contested the FCT senatorial primary under the NDC, a process she later described as deeply flawed.
She had earlier alleged that the primary was manipulated and not conducted in line with internal democratic standards.
According to her, the outcome reflected a predetermined arrangement rather than a transparent delegate process.
Despite her complaints, she chose not to file a formal petition, stating that she preferred to focus on lessons learned from the experience.
Dickson, however, defended the party’s conduct of the primaries, acknowledging that some procedural challenges were encountered.
He argued that part of the difficulty stemmed from broader limitations within Nigeria’s electoral framework rather than internal party sabotage.
The controversy has deepened existing divisions within the NDC over how candidates are selected and how internal disagreements are managed.
Political observers say the dispute highlights growing tension between activist-driven participation and traditional party leadership structures.
The alleged rejection of the House of Representatives ticket has now become a central talking point in the broader debate over ambition, representation, and party loyalty.
Supporters of the party argue that accommodating diverse political voices remains essential for building a strong opposition platform ahead of the next general elections.
However, critics believe the incident reflects unresolved friction within the party’s leadership and communication strategy.
The Federal Capital Territory remains a key political battleground, with competing narratives shaping public perception of the primaries.
As discussions continue, both Dickson and Yesufu’s accounts remain central to understanding the unfolding crisis within the party.
For now, the situation underscores the challenges new political movements face in balancing structure, ambition, and internal democracy.