2027: Obi supporters won’t trust INEC with votes — Aisha Yesufu
By Sekinat Osundiji
Political activist Aisha Yesufu, a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, announced that supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will not rely solely on electoral institutions to safeguard their votes in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.
In a recent interview with Arise News, Yesufu emphasized the need for Obi’s supporters to take proactive measures by appointing representatives at polling units. These representatives will monitor the movement of election materials and results from the polling locations to the various collation centers and ultimately to Abuja.
Reflecting on the experiences from the 2023 general elections, Yesufu stated that it is imperative for voters and political groups to engage more actively in vote protection. “Yes, we are going to have people at every polling unit to protect the votes,” she affirmed.
The strategy involves tracking the results at each stage of the collation process—beginning at the polling units and continuing through the ward, local government, and state levels until the final announcement in Abuja. “No result sheet will leave our sight. We will follow the results from the polling units all the way to Abuja,” she added.
Yesufu expressed her lack of trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the judiciary. She argued that citizens cannot afford to place complete faith in these institutions for safeguarding their votes. Instead, she asserted that the 2027 election will necessitate extensive grassroots mobilization, with supporters focusing on polling units rather than relying solely on political rallies and campaigns.
Addressing a recent incident in Benue State, where Obi’s convoy was reportedly obstructed, Yesufu defended the former Anambra State governor’s decision to avoid engaging with those who blocked his path. She contended that Obi had other appointments to fulfill and should not let what she called “miscreants” dictate his movements.
Yesufu expressed confidence in Obi’s potential to win the 2027 election, citing growing concern among Nigerians regarding the economic hardships and insecurity they face daily. She criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu as a “colossal failure,” arguing that claims of improved macroeconomic indicators have not translated into better living conditions for average citizens. “Nigerians are facing rising costs, insecurity, and declining purchasing power,” she noted, insisting that economic policies should be evaluated based on their effects on citizens.
Yesufu believes that Obi holds an advantage because voters are increasingly prioritizing competence, character, and capability over religious affiliations. She also suggested that Obi would likely secure victories in Lagos and make significant inroads in other regions across the country.
While clarifying that she is not seeking an elective position, Yesufu stated that her primary focus is on mobilizing supporters for the 2027 presidential election and ensuring that their votes are protected. She concluded by stressing the importance of grassroots organization, stating that the learnings from the 2023 elections emphasize the need for supporters to be well-prepared at the local level to influence the election outcomes.
