Wike, Aisha Yesufu clash over activist’s failed FCT Senate bid

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and activist Aisha Yesufu have engaged in a war of words following the collapse of her senatorial ambition under the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

Yesufu had declared her intention to contest the FCT Senate seat on May 6 after defecting to the NDC from the African Democratic Congress. However, on Friday, she announced that the party would not be holding primaries for the position, effectively ending her bid.

Speaking at a luncheon for Rainbow Coalition candidates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, Wike mocked Yesufu, who is known for her outspoken criticism of political figures.

“There’s one woman who said Wike is an appointee of government and that she has no business with appointees. You speak grammar, speak grammar,” Wike said. He noted that she could not even secure the ticket of an “ordinary” NDC, let alone a major party like the APC or PDP.

Wike further criticised political commentators who speak confidently on media platforms but fail when tested. “Now, the time for data has come. What happened? ‘Fa fa fa foul.’ It didn’t work,” he added.

Yesufu responded on Sunday via her official X handle, challenging the minister to mention her name directly. She recalled that Wike himself had failed to win his own party primaries in 2022 and allegedly lobbied unsuccessfully for a running mate position.

“Let me wait make the man get liver mention name,” Yesufu wrote, adding that she comes from the “Kukuruku empire of Edo State” and does not grovel before anyone.

She also accused Wike of destroying the Peoples Democratic Party, which she described as once the largest party in Africa, only to become an appointee of the ruling government.

The exchange has drawn attention to the ongoing political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.