Renowned activist and social crusader, Aisha Yesufu, believes that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, stands on firmer ground heading into the 2027 elections than he did in 2023. Speaking in Umuahia, Abia State, during the Girls’ Summit organized by Protect The Precious Foundation, Yesufu said Obi’s message has gained broader acceptance among Nigerians.
According to her, “Peter Obi has more hope in 2027 than there was in 2023. When he started running, people mocked him, saying only four persons were tweeting for him. Despite the rigging that happened, he still got over six million votes. He won that election without a single councillor, and now, more people understand the truth he represents.”
Yesufu urged Nigerians to go beyond just voting by ensuring that their votes are counted. “When you vote, make sure your vote is counted and entered for your candidate. Otherwise, all you did was paper painting,” she cautioned.
When asked about the INEC Chairman-designate, Yesufu expressed zero confidence in the process, saying: “I don’t have any task for him because even the President that appointed him is not supposed to be there. The focus should be on Nigerians. INEC isn’t the problem — it’s the people working there. They are our brothers and sisters, and we must make sure they don’t take bribes or rig elections.”
The activist decried the lack of electoral reforms ahead of 2027, describing the next election as a fight for survival. She dismissed the idea that Nigeria’s woes are spiritual, stating that the real issue is bad governance. “People are dying from corruption and failed policies, not village people. If we want progress, we must elect leaders with competence, character, and capacity — not looters,” she added.
On gender issues, Yesufu lamented the neglect of the girl child and called for harsher penalties against offenders involved in rape, abuse, or child labour. “Rape can be stopped if treated as a serious crime. Offenders are excused, and victims shamed. We must criminalize it and give victims a voice,” she said.
Earlier, Ms. Nora Okafor, president of Protect The Precious Foundation, said the summit themed “Finding Your Voice” aimed to empower young girls to rise against abuse and societal neglect. The event saw participation from female students across Abia State.
