Nigerian activist and a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has opened up on the reason she turned down an offer to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives.
Yesufu explained that 20 people had already purchased nomination forms and were contesting for the position.
She asserted that joining the race would unfairly affect other aspirants who had spent money and effort pursuing the position.
Yesufu made the disclosure during a public lecture on citizens’ participation in governance at Veritas University in Abuja on Thursday,
According to her, “About 20 people had picked up forms for the ticket, and I was not going to be part of irregularities. I was not going to be part of that system even though it was going to benefit me.
“The reason I didn’t take it was because of the process. There were about 20 competent people from whom money had been collected during the process who would be short changed.”
Describing the arrangement as unfair, Yesufu said: “The process was unjust; in my view, it was criminal. If we claim to be guided by the law, then why should we do something unjust?”
She added that she would rather lose than benefit from an unfair political process.
“I have no problem with losing. I would rather stand with ordinary people than pursue titles and honours through an unfair process. That is how I have always lived my life,” she said.
She also urged young Nigerians to become more involved in politics, stressing that political participation should go beyond voting during elections.
