Nigerian activist and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Aisha Yesufu, has sparked heated debate online following her defense of a political alliance with former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, a figure she has fiercely criticized in the past.
In a series of bold tweets on Thursday, Yesufu acknowledged El-Rufai’s controversial nature but argued that his qualities could be channeled for the nation’s good.
She described him as someone with “nuisance value,” marked by anger and vindictiveness, traits she believes can be strategically utilized for Nigeria’s progress.
“Nasir El-Rufai @elrufai has a nuisance value: his anger and vindictiveness, and you think I will not use that? Let me laugh in 3D!!!!!!” Yesufu tweeted.
“You think Nation building is a romantic affair? I am okay with looking bad while you look good.”
The statement drew backlash from critics who pointed out her past condemnation of El-Rufai.
In an October 17, 2022 tweet, she wrote: “Nasir El-Rufai is evil! He is the typical example of politics without principles.”
Despite the apparent contradiction, Yesufu stood her ground, insisting her core values remain intact.
She explained that her alliance with El-Rufai and others in the emerging opposition coalition is a strategic move aimed at confronting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
“It is inferiority complex that makes some of you think that Aisha Yesufu has joined them. Excuse you! They joined Aisha Yesufu!” she tweeted, asserting her long-standing commitment to opposition politics.
“I have been on the side of opposition since 2014 when I decided to start focusing on Nigerian issues. They have joined me on the side of opposition! Everyone one of them is what I called them in the past,” she declared.
Prominent Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Atedo Peterside, came to Yesufu’s defense on Friday.
He urged Nigerians to consider the broader context of political coalition-building.
“If @AishaYesufu was in opposition and some politicians from APC and PDP decide to join her for exploratory talks about a Coalition of Opposition forces, is she now supposed to abandon Opposition and run in the other direction? If you do not explore, you will not discover,” Peterside posted on X.
“Methinks exploration by itself can never be a crime. Indeed, it might be an act of courage. Please give the lady a break.”
However, not everyone agreed. Another X user, Chigozirim Aliyu, sharply criticized both Yesufu and Peterside.
“I disagree with you sir. In fact I think you stay away from this conversation. Aisha Yesufu is a shameless hypocrite, a dirty politician portraying herself as an activist,” he wrote.
“Can’t believe she’s now hanging out with the same group of individuals she addressed as ‘criminal structure.’ How is she going to feel campaigning alongside El-Rufai, Malami and Atiku? Shame on her!!”
DAILY GAZETTE had previously reported that key opposition figures, including El-Rufai, adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their new political platform during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday.
Former Senate President David Mark was named interim national chairman, while former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola was selected as interim national secretary.
Others at the meeting included Rotimi Amaechi, John Oyegun, and Abubakar Malami, all prominent figures from Nigeria’s recent political history.
Meanwhile, a faction within the ADC voiced strong opposition to the coalition’s use of the party as a political vehicle.
In a statement released by national publicity secretary Musa Isa Matara, the group rejected the move, accusing the coalition of hijacking the party without proper consultation.
“The ADC is not a ‘private coalition platform’ to be hijacked by political elites,” Matara said, warning that the decision was made without input from the party’s state executives, youth and women leaders, and ward coordinators.
