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Prominent social crusader and rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, has expressed optimism about the presidential prospects of the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi, stating that the 2027 elections present him with better opportunities than the 2023 general election.
Yesufu made the statement on Friday in Umuahia, Abia State, during an interactive session with newsmen at the Girls’ Summit organised by Protect The Precious Foundation, where she was a guest speaker.
According to Yesufu, many Nigerians who were sceptical about Peter Obi’s message in 2023 have now come to support his vision, giving him more momentum for the 2027 race.
“Peter Obi has more hope in 2027 than there was in 2023. When he started running in 2023, people said only four persons were tweeting for him. Despite the rigging that took place, he still got over six million votes. He won the 2023 election, even without having a single councillor,” Yesufu stated.
She further emphasised that the growing awareness of Obi’s message had resulted in a larger following for the Labour Party candidate.
“Many didn’t believe in him then, but today, people have seen the truth he stands for. His followership has grown, and all we ask for is a free, fair, and credible election, though we know they lack the capacity to give that,” Yesufu further stated.
Yesufu also urged Nigerians to ensure that their votes count in future elections, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability.
“When you vote, make sure your vote is counted and entered for your candidate. Otherwise, all you did was paper painting,” she advised.
When asked about her expectations for the INEC Chairman-designate, Yesufu expressed disappointment, saying she had no specific expectations from him.
“I don’t have any task for him because even the President that appointed him, I don’t believe is supposed to be there. For me, the focus is on the Nigerian people. INEC is not the problem; the people working there are. They are our brothers, sisters, spouses, and relatives. We must ensure they don’t take bribes or rig elections. If we do that, nobody will dare to rig,” she stated.
Yesufu lamented the lack of necessary electoral reforms as the 2027 elections approach, highlighting the need for immediate changes to ensure free and fair elections.
“Nothing has been put in place. Nigerians must realise that the 2027 election is a fight for our lives,” she said.
On the challenges facing Nigeria, Yesufu dismissed the notion that they were spiritual in nature. She pointed to bad governance as the root cause of Nigeria’s problems.
“People are dying from bad governance, corruption, and wrong policies. It’s not village people or enemies, it’s bad leaders. To have good governance, we must elect people with competence, character, and capacity, not looters or selfish individuals,” she explained.
Advocacy For The Girl Child
Yesufu also expressed deep concern over the ongoing neglect of the rights and welfare of girls in Nigeria. She condemned the government and society for turning a blind eye to abuses such as rape, child labour, and political exclusion.
“We must criminalize rape, punish offenders, and give victims a voice,” she stressed, calling for stiffer punishment for perpetrators.
“Rape can be stopped if it is treated as a serious crime. Right now, it’s not. Offenders are often excused, and victims are shamed,” she added.
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