Prominent activist and social commentator, Aisha Yesufu, has officially withdrawn from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial race under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), effectively ending her bid for the legislative seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Yesufu announced her decision in a statement released on Friday, citing the political party's decision to bypass primary elections for the FCT senatorial ticket. According to the activist, the NDC intends to conduct primary elections exclusively for the House of Representatives seats within the territory.

"Our party has decided not to conduct primaries for the Senatorial seat in FCT Abuja. It however intends to conduct primaries for House of Representatives. Go ahead and make your choice known," Yesufu stated.

Focus Shifted to the Presidential Race

Following the development, Yesufu urged her supporters to remain calm and redirect their focus toward broader national political objectives, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming presidential election.

"I urge each and every one of you to remain calm and focus on the bigger picture, which is the presidential election. Nigeria will be okay," she added.

She expressed gratitude to the members and volunteers of the #AishaForSenate movement, praising their dedication and support throughout her brief campaign.

Continued Community Engagement

Despite stepping down from the race, Yesufu disclosed plans to visit all six Area Councils within the FCT in the coming days. The visits, she noted, are intended to show appreciation to residents for their reception and to continue dialogue on localized community issues affecting the federal capital.

"In the coming week, I will be returning to all the six Area Councils, God willing, to appreciate them for the warm welcome and continue to forge ahead for a better FCT," she said.

Background to the Campaign

Yesufu formally declared her senatorial ambition on May 6, shortly after defecting to the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). At the time of her declaration, she stated that her decision to run was driven by her political experience and her growing alignment with the party's objectives.

Her sudden withdrawal follows mounting speculation that the NDC leadership may have resolved to consensus-back an alternative aspirant for the sole FCT senatorial ticket. As of the time of reporting, the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has yet to issue an official statement regarding the FCT primary structure or Yesufu's withdrawal.