Human rights activist and politician Aisha Yesufu has strongly criticised Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing him of focusing on personal relevance rather than building momentum for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yesufu’s criticism came in response to Dickson’s interview on Arise News TV on Wednesday night, during which he addressed concerns surrounding the party’s recently concluded primaries and acknowledged reports of irregularities.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Yesufu expressed disappointment with Dickson’s remarks and leadership approach, arguing that he failed to reassure aggrieved party members and instead projected an image of insecurity.
“Dear Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, while I take my time to properly address your allusion of me not playing by the rules—which I consider very disingenuous seeing how I followed the process… I would like you, as the national leader, to watch this video again,” Yesufu said, referring to his broadcast interview.
She recalled that when Dickson insisted there would be no primaries for the Senate, she chose to let the matter go to focus on the bigger picture, pacifying her supporters who felt disrespected by the decision.
Yesufu described a section of Dickson’s television appearance as “painfully appalling to watch,” alleging that the former Bayelsa State governor appeared to be competing with his own party’s presidential candidate rather than promoting the NDC’s electoral prospects.
“Your first one-on-one interview after the primaries, and instead of selling your candidates and giving confidence to people on how to set the road to winning the 2027 election, you made it about yourself,” she said.
The activist further argued that Dickson appeared to view the registration of the NDC as an achievement in itself, rather than a vehicle for securing electoral victory. She warned that treating the party as a “Special Purpose Vehicle” would not deliver the presidency in 2027.
She also faulted Dickson for failing to unite party members after the primaries and for alienating supporters.
“As a leader of a political party, your number one job in that interview was to pacify aspirants, many of whom are rightfully aggrieved, and secondly to call on supporters to bear with the party and support it,” Yesufu stated. “But you ended up antagonising the very people you would need to win the election. Every vote counts! A leader must stoop to conquer.”
According to Yesufu, no one within the party is attempting to challenge Dickson’s leadership. “The focus is on Nigeria winning the 2027 election! It looked as if you were fighting a war no one was waging with you. You don’t have anything to prove to anyone, just lead,” she added.
She further accused the NDC leader of avoiding accountability when party processes face scrutiny.
“It is also interesting how, as a leader, I see you shifting the blame to any process that doesn’t go well or is called out,” Yesufu said. “Take all responsibility! The party is young. It was overwhelmed. Mistakes will be made. Accepting the mistakes and being accountable is how the party will get better.”
Calling for a renewed focus on national issues and the opposition’s electoral ambitions, Yesufu warned against allowing personal egos to overshadow the party’s mission.
“There is a whole battle ahead of us. Rescuing Nigeria from the current state it is in should be the main focus, not people’s fragile egos,” she said, concluding with a quote from motivational speaker Jim Rohn: “If what you did yesterday is still looking big to you today, then you are not doing enough.”
