Prominent activist and social campaigner Aisha Yesufu has failed to secure the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial ticket for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The primary election saw her defeated by Amanda Pam, a well-known figure within the party.
Yesufu, who has recently pivoted from activism to electoral politics, had expressed her ambition to represent Abuja in the Senate as a means to tackle pressing issues facing residents and amplify their voices in governance. However, her bid was cut short by Pam, who garnered more delegate support.
Following her loss, social media platforms have been abuzz with reactions. Critics have pointed to the outcome as evidence that online popularity does not necessarily translate to real-world electoral success. One user, Comrade Idris Omuya, questioned the effectiveness of her digital support base after her defeat.
Another commenter, Evangelist Divine Vessel, highlighted the contrast between Yesufu’s social media presence and Pam’s grassroots appeal. He noted that Pam, who has no significant online footprint or television appearances, managed to outperform the so-called ‘social media rabble-rouser’. Vessel emphasized that politics is fundamentally local, not driven by online rants or TV interviews.
Yesufu, a vocal backer of Peter Obi’s presidential campaign, now faces a period of reflection as her senatorial ambitions are put on hold. The primary results have sparked discussions about the role of digital activism versus traditional political structures in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.