THIS DAWN — Prominent activist Aisha Yesufu is facing sharp criticism and accusations of political opportunism after announcing her intention to run for the Federal Capital Territory Senate seat just hours after joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and being immediately appointed to the party’s Mobilisation Committee.
The rapid sequence—joining the party, receiving a committee role, and declaring a Senate bid within 48 hours—has ignited debate.
Critics question political integrity, internal democracy, and the sincerity of activist transitions into partisan politics.
Yesufu rose to prominence through the #BringBackOurGirls movement and her outspoken criticism of government failures under both APC and PDP.
She long positioned herself as an outsider and moral voice.
Her swift integration into ADC’s power structure has left many of her former allies disillusioned.
“This is a classic case of ‘if you can’t beat them, join them, and then immediately become one of them.
“For years, she condemned patronage and queue‑jumping.
“Now she bypasses ordinary members to secure influence and a ticket in record time.
“It reeks of entitlement,’” said analyst Tunde Oseni.
Civil society voices echoed the sentiment. “She spoke about systemic change.
“Now her first move is to leverage celebrity for a personal career, skipping grassroots party building,” one activist noted.
ADC’s Internal Democracy Questioned
ADC’s decision to hand Yesufu a mobilisation role instantly has also drawn fire from within.
A mid‑level official in the FCT complained of a “two‑tier system.”
“We have members who built this party ward by ward. Suddenly, a high‑profile name drops in, and leadership rolls out the red carpet.
Where is internal democracy? Is our party now a platform for political tourists?”
The official questioned the logic of putting a new member, who is also a candidate, in charge of mobilisation.
“How can she impartially mobilise for the party’s success when her focus will inevitably be her own Senate campaign?
“It’s a conflict of interest from day one.”
Public Reaction: “Politics as Usual”
On social media, reactions have been divided. Supporters praised her for “entering the arena,” but many expressed cynicism.
“So all it takes is 48 hours in ADC to become a kingmaker and contestant? What then was all the talk about principles?” read one viral tweet.
“She has simply followed the well‑worn path: criticise from outside, then join inside for a share of power.
“We’ve seen this movie before,” another commenter added.
Yesufu’s defenders argue that real change requires capturing power and that her voice in the Senate would be valuable.
They also credit ADC for smartly leveraging her star power.
Still, the speed of the manoeuvre remains a vulnerability. Opponents frame her campaign as ambition‑driven rather than principled reform.
“The optics are terrible. It looks less like a servant‑leader joining a platform and more like a transaction.
“The ADC gets her fame; she gets a fast‑tracked ticket. Ordinary members are spectators,” concluded Oseni.
As the 2023 elections approach, Yesufu’s ability to navigate accusations of hypocrisy and opportunism may prove as challenging as the campaign itself.
Her first test will be reconciling her past rhetoric with her present political reality.
