By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Human rights activist and politician, Aisha Yesufu, has criticised the National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, accusing him of focusing more on his personal standing within the party than on strategies needed to secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
Yesufu’s remarks followed Dickson’s appearance on Arise News Television on Wednesday night, where he addressed controversies surrounding the party’s recently concluded primaries and admitted that irregularities had been reported during the exercise.
In a statement released on Thursday, the activist expressed disappointment over Dickson’s comments and leadership style, arguing that he missed an opportunity to reassure aggrieved members and instead projected insecurity.
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Addressing the former Bayelsa State governor directly, she said, “Dear Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, while I take my time to properly address your allusion of me not playing by the rules, which I consider very disingenuous seeing how I followed the process and even when you had insisted there would be no primaries for senate, I let things go and asked my teeming supporters to focus on the bigger picture. I toured the FCT pacifying my supporters and party people who rightfully felt disrespected as they were all waiting at their respective headquarters for primaries that never happened.
“(I played field politics, I never waited for anyone to give me a ticket), I would like you, as the National leader, to watch this video again!”
Yesufu described a portion of Dickson’s interview as “painfully appalling,” claiming that his comments gave the impression that he was competing with the party’s presidential candidate instead of promoting the NDC’s chances in the next election.
“This part of the interview was so painfully appalling to watch. It looked as if you were insecure and in competition with your Presidential Candidate,” she said.
“Your first one-on-one interview after primaries, and instead of selling your candidates and giving confidence to people on how to set the road to winning the 2027 election, you made it about yourself.”
According to her, the NDC leader appeared to regard the party’s registration as an achievement in itself rather than a platform through which electoral success should be pursued.
“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.
“The registration of NDC should be a means to an end and not an end in itself.”
The Merit Newspaper acknowledges that Yesufu further faulted Dickson for not using his media appearance to heal divisions within the party and rally supporters behind its candidates.
“As a leader of a political party, your number one job in that interview was to pacify aspirants, many of whom are rightfully aggrieved, and secondly to call on supporters to bear with the party and support it, but you ended up antagonising the very people you would need to win the election. Every vote counts! A leader must stoop to conquer!”
She stressed that nobody within the party was challenging Dickson’s position as leader.
“No one can take away your leadership of NDC, no one is interested in that! The focus is on Nigeria winning the 2027 election!
“It looked as if you were fighting a war no one was waging with you. You don’t have anything to prove to anyone, just lead!”
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The activist also accused the NDC leader of shifting responsibility whenever internal processes faced criticism.
“It is also interesting how, as a leader, I see you shifting the blame to any process that doesn’t go well or is called out,” she said.
“Even in this statement below, you did! Take all responsibility! The party is young. It was overwhelmed. Mistakes will be made. Accepting the mistakes and being accountable is how the party will get better.”
Calling for greater focus on national issues and the opposition’s mission ahead of the 2027 elections, Yesufu warned against allowing personal ego to distract from the broader objective.
“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!”
She reiterated by citing American motivational speaker Jim Rohn, saying: “If what you did yesterday is still looking big to you today, then you are not doing enough.”
The comments have added to growing debates within the opposition camp over internal democracy and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
