Yesufu Says Elections Cannot Be Won Through Social Media Propaganda

Socio-political activist, Aisha Yesufu, has declared that elections cannot be won through social media propaganda or orchestrated smear campaigns.

Yesufu made the remark in a post on her X handle on Wednesday while addressing members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and her supporters ahead of the party’s primaries in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

According to her, political victory can only be achieved through direct engagement with the electorate based on empathy, compassion and respect.

“Election is not won by social media propaganda nor by an orchestrated smear campaign. Election is won by engaging the electorate one wishes to serve respectfully and with empathy and compassion,” she wrote.

The activist urged registered members of the NDC in the FCT to remain focused on promoting the party and electing candidates capable of representing their interests.

She stated that the era of making political choices out of fear was over, adding that voters must now make decisions based on courage and belief in the principle that “power belongs to the people.”

Yesufu also charged her supporters to continue mobilisation efforts across the 62 wards in the FCT, insisting that her camp was prepared for the primaries.

“To my teeming supporters across the FCT, do not be deterred, continue your groundwork across the 62 wards. We are ready to meet them on the primaries ground,” she added.

Repeating her stance, Yesufu asked: “Who is afraid of primaries?”

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress has suspended indefinitely the collation of results for its primaries covering State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential tickets in Jigawa State over violence and irregularities.

The Chief Returning Officer, Zaki Ahmed, announced the suspension to journalists at the Tashir Guests Palace in Dutse, venue of the collation exercise.

Ahmed said unresolved complaints and irregularities made it impossible to continue the collation process.

“Results had been received from 19 out of the 27 local government areas, while officials were still awaiting submissions from Auyo, Roni and Kazaure councils,” he disclosed.

According to him, the exercise was marred by serious infractions in several areas.

“There were reports of irregularities and malpractice in some local governments, while Gwaram witnessed threats of violence capable of disrupting the process completely,” Ahmed added.