Activist and political commentator Aisha Yesufu has responded strongly to comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who mocked her inability to secure the senatorial ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The exchange followed remarks made by Wike during a luncheon in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, where he criticized Yesufu’s political outing after she failed to emerge as the NDC’s candidate for the Federal Capital Territory senatorial seat.
In his address, Wike referenced previous criticisms directed at him by the activist and questioned her political strength, arguing that she could not win what he described as an “ordinary primary election.”
The minister suggested that it was easier for critics to make political commentary from outside the system than to succeed in actual electoral contests.
However, Yesufu swiftly reacted through a post on her X account, challenging Wike to mention her name directly whenever he wished to criticize her.
She also drew attention to Wike’s unsuccessful bid for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2022, stating that his defeat at the party’s primary election was a more significant political setback.
“If dem born Wike well, make e call my name with his full chest! What Tambuwal did him in 2022 will be child’s play,” she wrote.
Yesufu had joined the NDC earlier in May after leaving the African Democratic Congress with plans to contest for the FCT Senate seat. However, she later withdrew from the race, alleging that the party’s primary process lacked transparency and had been manipulated.
Before her withdrawal, the activist had repeatedly criticized Wike’s influence in Abuja politics, maintaining that as an appointed official, he should not be seen as determining electoral outcomes in the territory.
The latest exchange adds to the growing war of words between both figures and highlights the increasing political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
