Aisha Yesufu explains why she rejected House of Reps ticket

Activist Aisha Yesufu has explained why she turned down an offer to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking at a public lecture on citizens’ participation in governance at Veritas University in Abuja on Thursday, Yesufu said she rejected the ticket because about 20 people had already purchased nomination forms and were contesting for the position.

“About 20 people had picked up forms for the ticket and I was not going to be part of irregularities. I was not going to be part of that system even though it was going to benefit me,” she said.

She explained that accepting the ticket would have unfairly affected other aspirants who had spent money and effort pursuing the position.

“The reason I didn’t take it was because of the process. There were about 20 competent people from whom money had been collected during the process who would be shortchanged,” she stated.

Describing the arrangement as unfair, Yesufu said: “The process was unjust; in my view, it was criminal. If we claim to be guided by the law, then why should we do something unjust?”

She added that she would rather lose than benefit from an unfair political process.

“I have no problem with losing. I would rather stand with ordinary people than pursue titles and honours through an unfair process. That is how I have always lived my life,” she said.

She also urged young Nigerians to become more involved in politics, stressing that political participation should go beyond voting during elections.