Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has revealed why she turned down an offer to contest for the House of Representatives under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yesufu explained that she was unwilling to accept a political position if doing so meant compromising her principles or making commitments she could not honour.
‘I don’t have to be president by force’
Speaking during an interview with Symfoni TV, Yesufu said some of the political offers presented to her came with conditions she was not prepared to accept.
She maintained that political power should not be pursued at all costs, adding that she would rather remain outside government than compromise her values.
“I did not accept the House of Representatives ticket that was given to me because there were other people who were doing it on the issue of principle,” she said.
According to her, some individuals presented conditions along the lines of, “I will make you this but you have to do A, B, C, D.”
‘We are not going to sell Nigeria’
Yesufu stressed that her decision was based on her principles and her unwillingness to make promises that could not be fulfilled.
“There were many issues where many people brought ‘I will make you this but you have to do A, B, C, D.’ It’s pretty obvious.
“We are not going to sell Nigeria. I don’t have to be president by force. We won’t make any promises that we will not fulfill,” she stated.
NDC leaders had offered her the ticket
Her revelation comes after former Bayelsa State governor and NDC national leader Seriake Dickson disclosed that he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had offered Yesufu the House of Representatives ticket.
Despite the offer, the activist decided not to accept it, maintaining that political office should not come at the expense of personal integrity or principles.
Her position has generated discussion ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly over whether politicians and political aspirants should reject opportunities when they believe the conditions attached could compromise their values.
