Aisha Yesufu Counters Dickson: Focus on Winning 2027, Not Your Ego

 

Prominent activist and political commentator Aisha Yesufu has taken a swipe at Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, accusing him of making his recent Arise Television interview about himself rather than the party’s mission of winning the 2027 presidential election.

Reacting to Dickson’s remarks that supporters must respect the party and its leadership, Yesufu said she found parts of the interview “painfully appalling” and suggested that the former governor appeared insecure about the growing popularity of the party’s presidential candidate.

In a lengthy statement posted on her TikTok, Yesufu reminded Dickson that she had consistently supported the party despite disagreements surrounding its internal processes.

According to her, even when concerns emerged over the conduct of the senatorial primaries, she urged her supporters to remain focused on the bigger picture rather than deepen divisions within the party.

“I played field politics. I never waited for anyone to give me a ticket,” she wrote, adding that she personally engaged party members and supporters who felt sidelined by the process.

Yesufu argued that Dickson’s first major interview after the party’s primaries should have focused on uniting members, reassuring aggrieved aspirants and projecting confidence ahead of the 2027 elections.

Instead, she said, the interview gave the impression that the party leader was more interested in defending his personal political standing.

“It looked as if you were insecure and in competition with your presidential candidate,” she stated.

The activist also challenged Dickson’s repeated emphasis on the party’s registration and leadership, arguing that the ultimate goal of any political party should be electoral victory and national transformation.

“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,” she said.

While acknowledging Dickson’s position as the party’s leader, Yesufu maintained that nobody was attempting to undermine his authority and urged him to focus on leadership, accountability and unity.

“No one can take away your leadership of NDC. No one is interested in that. The focus is on Nigeria and winning the 2027 election,” she wrote.

She further advised the party leadership to take responsibility for mistakes, noting that the NDC is still a young political party that will inevitably face challenges as it grows.

“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,” Yesufu added.

She concluded her remarks with a quote from motivational speaker Jim Rohn, saying, “If what you did yesterday is still looking big to you today, then you are not doing enough.”