Yesufu announced her decision in a statement released on Friday, explaining that the party had resolved not to conduct primaries for the senatorial seat in the FCT, although it would proceed with primaries for House of Representatives positions within the territory.
According to her, the internal party decision made it necessary for her to step aside from the contest.
“Our party has decided not to conduct primaries for the senatorial seat in FCT Abuja. It however intends to conduct primaries for House of Representatives. Go ahead and make your choice known,” she stated.
Her withdrawal comes amid ongoing political realignments within opposition circles as parties reposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
From Activism to Politics
For years, Yesufu built a strong public reputation as one of Nigeria’s most outspoken activists, playing key roles in movements such as #BringBackOurGirls and the #EndSARS protests.
In May 2026, she formally announced her intention to contest the FCT senatorial seat, arguing that activism should extend into legislative governance rather than remain limited to civic protests.
Her entry into partisan politics was widely seen as a shift from street-level advocacy to institutional engagement aimed at driving reform from within the system.
Political Alignment With Peter Obi Movement
Yesufu’s political activities in recent years have been closely linked to former presidential candidate Peter Obi, under whose 2023 campaign she became one of the most visible supporters of the Labour Party’s reform agenda.
She played a prominent role in mobilising support for the “Obidient” movement and later aligned with broader opposition coalitions ahead of 2027.
Although she has moved across different political platforms, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress, she has consistently maintained that her support is based on principles of accountability and good governance rather than blind loyalty.
Senate Ambition and Grassroots Push
Following her defection to the NDC, Yesufu officially declared interest in the FCT senatorial seat and embarked on grassroots consultations across area councils within the territory.
Her campaign focused on issues such as security, education, healthcare, and improved representation for residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
Political analysts had described her candidacy as a test case for whether activist-driven popularity could translate into electoral success in Nigeria’s structured party system.
Speculation Over Party Dynamics
Her sudden withdrawal has sparked speculation about internal arrangements within the NDC, with suggestions that the party may have shifted support toward another aspirant believed to have stronger grassroots structures.
However, the party has not issued an official explanation regarding the decision.
Focus Shifts to 2027 Presidential Election
Despite stepping down from the senatorial race, Yesufu urged her supporters to remain focused on broader political goals ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“I urge each and every one of you to remain calm and focus on the bigger picture which is the presidential election. Nigeria will be OK,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation to supporters of her senatorial ambition and pledged continued engagement with residents across all six area councils in the FCT.
Her withdrawal underscores the complexities of Nigeria’s party politics, where activism, popularity, and grassroots political structures often intersect in unpredictable ways.
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