Renowned human rights activist and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Aisha Yesufu, has intensified her criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, labelling his presidency as illegitimate. Speaking on the latest edition of The Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, Yesufu voiced her frustration over the credibility of Nigeria’s 2023 general election, in which Tinubu was declared the winner amid widespread controversy.
“I don’t have a president! We have an illegitimate president, someone who rigged his way into office! This is a political coup!” she exclaimed, making her stance clear on what she views as a flawed electoral process.
Yesufu, known for her vocal advocacy for good governance, also weighed in on the Labour Party’s performance in the recent Edo State governorship election. Reflecting on her previous collaboration with the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, she expressed concerns about the integrity of the election results and criticized the party’s leadership and strategy.
“They manufactured a polling unit in Okpella, my hometown, and claimed Labour Party got just four votes. How is that even possible?” she questioned.
Amid her sharp political commentary, Yesufu also addressed allegations of mismanagement of campaign funds during Obi’s 2023 presidential bid. Dismissing the claims as baseless, she emphasized her financial transparency and distanced Peter Obi from any control over the funds. “Peter Obi was not a signatory to any of the funds that came in from the public, and I didn’t take a single dime. I fund my NGO with my own money,” she clarified.
On rumors of a potential political alliance between Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections, Yesufu did not hold back her disapproval. While respecting Obi, she expressed strong opposition to any collaboration with Kwankwaso, citing his leadership style as incompatible with the principles of good governance.
“If Peter Obi decides to play second fiddle to Kwankwaso, I, Aisha Yesufu, will actively work against that ticket, within the bounds of the law. Peter Obi is far better than Kwankwaso,” she declared.
In a broader critique of Nigeria’s political landscape, Yesufu called out the National Assembly, accusing it of abdicating its duty to hold the executive branch accountable. “The Senate and the National Assembly are not just rubber stamps anymore—they’re worse!” she lamented, highlighting the weakening checks and balances in Nigeria’s democracy.
Despite her concerns, Yesufu expressed cautious optimism about Nigeria’s future, urging citizens to be more involved in the country’s political process. “There’s great hope for Nigeria, but we must take ownership of our nation’s future. Politics must become everybody’s business if we want to fix Nigeria,” she concluded.
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