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Prominent activist Aisha Yesufu has raised concerns about the visible lack of women in the newly formed political coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Following the coalition’s official unveiling in Abuja, major political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, declared their alignment with the ADC.
Activist Aisha Yesufu responded to the development on her X page. She criticised the coalition’s leadership for being male-dominated and excluding women from meaningful decision-making roles. She also noted that all the men are older generations.
“Dear Coalition (ADC), women leader and youth leader positions cannot be what is reserved for women and youth.” she wrote. “This table full of older generation men cannot be the only ones allowed to make the decision as we go on!”
Her comments come as Nigeria’s opposition figures form what is being described as one of the most significant political shake-ups since the return to democracy in 1999. The coalition is expected to unite to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Aisha Yesufu, co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement and an outspoken voice for equity and accountability, urged Nigerian women and youth not to sit on the sidelines.
“This is the time for the numbers you have to be heard loud and clear,” she said. “JOIN! Be part of the leadership! Be part of the delegates! Be part of the floor members. Overwhelm for good! Bring in ideas from out of the box.”
While the ADC interim chairperson, David Mark, said the coalition was a move to “rescue Nigeria’s democracy,” Aisha Yesufu’s intervention highlights the growing demand for true inclusivity beyond performative roles.
