2027 Election: Buhari’s Ex-Aide Reveals Why Aisha Yesufu Is “Demoralised” After Senate Ticket Loss

Former Special Assistant on New Media to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has suggested that social activist Aisha Yesufu may be disappointed after failing to secure the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial ticket for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ahmad, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the comment while reacting to Yesufu’s decision to scale back her participation in the campaign activities of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, compared with her involvement during the 2023 election.

Yesufu had recently explained that although she would continue to support Obi, Nigerians might not see her travelling extensively with him during the forthcoming campaign.

She said:

“Yes, I will still campaign with Peter Obi when necessary, but you might not see me travelling around with him as much as possible.”

Reacting to her remarks in a post on his official X account, Ahmad linked Yesufu’s reduced campaign involvement to her failure to secure the senatorial ticket.

The former presidential aide acknowledged Yesufu’s longstanding support for Obi but argued that the former Anambra State governor did not reciprocate that loyalty when she needed his backing.

Ahmad wrote:

“Aisha Yusuf has every reason to feel demoralised and she has announced that she will not be campaigning for Peter Obi state by state as she did in 2023.”

He argued that Obi ought to have intervened on Yesufu’s behalf to help her secure the senatorial ticket, considering the activist’s consistent support for his political ambitions.

According to Ahmad:

“It is a well known fact that Mr Peter, her principal, could not stand up for her to secure the senatorial ticket, despite the fact that she has consistently stood by him since joining his team.”

The former presidential aide further accused Obi of putting his presidential ambition ahead of the interests of an ally who had supported him.

He added:

“When it mattered most, he appears to have chosen to protect his own presidential ticket rather than stand up for someone who had stood up for him. In politics, loyalty should be reciprocal.”

Ahmad contrasted Obi’s alleged approach with that of his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, claiming that Kwankwaso had demonstrated stronger loyalty to his political allies.

He said:

“Something his deputy, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, would never do. In Kano, he went as far as ensuring that his own son secured the deputy governorship ticket. That is what standing by your people looks like.”