Activist and ally of Peter Obi, Aisha Yesufu, has criticised the leadership approach of Seriake Dickson, accusing him of making a recent television appearance more about internal politics than strengthening public confidence in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Yesufu’s reaction followed comments made by Dickson during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he addressed issues arising from the party’s primaries.
Dickson had urged supporters of Obi to stop attacking the party and its leadership, warning that such actions could weaken the political platform through which their preferred candidate intends to contest.
Obi emerged as the NDC presidential candidate on May 30 and later announced former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as his running mate.
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, Yesufu said Dickson failed to use the interview to unite members and reassure disappointed aspirants after the primaries.
She argued that the former Bayelsa governor appeared more concerned with asserting his own leadership position than projecting confidence in the party’s chances of victory.
“This part of the interview was painfully difficult to watch. It looked as though you were insecure and competing with your presidential candidate,” Yesufu said.
“Your first major interview after the primaries should have been about selling the party’s candidates and giving confidence to Nigerians that NDC is prepared to win in 2027, but instead, the focus appeared to shift to yourself.”
Yesufu, who contested for the party’s Senate ticket in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) but did not secure the nomination after the party opted not to conduct a primary election for the seat, said the NDC should function as a political institution committed to electoral victory rather than celebrating its existence.
According to her, the registration of the party should be viewed as a means to achieving political change and not an achievement in itself.
She further stated that Dickson should have used the interview to calm aggrieved aspirants and rally supporters instead of alienating them.
“As a party leader, your responsibility was to pacify aspirants who felt sidelined and encourage supporters to remain committed to the bigger objective, but the outcome of the interview suggested otherwise,” she said.
She also accused the party leadership of avoiding responsibility whenever concerns are raised over internal processes.
“The party is still young and mistakes can happen. But leadership means accepting responsibility, acknowledging those mistakes and improving from them,” she added.
Yesufu maintained that the larger objective should remain winning the 2027 election and addressing Nigeria’s challenges rather than becoming consumed by internal disputes.
“There is a whole battle ahead. Rescuing Nigeria from its current situation should be the main focus and not personal ego,” she said.
Addressing allegations that she failed to follow party procedures during the FCT Senate process, Yesufu defended her conduct, insisting she complied with laid-down processes and discouraged her supporters from escalating tensions despite dissatisfaction over the cancellation of the primary.
She said she toured parts of the FCT to pacify supporters who felt sidelined and stressed that she pursued grassroots politics rather than waiting for political favors.
“I played field politics. I never waited for anyone to hand me a ticket,” she said.
