Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls Movement, Aisha Yesufu, has declared that the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, “has better chances in 2027 than he had in 2023.”
Fielding questions from journalists in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, where she was a guest speaker at a Girls’ Summit organised by Protect the Precious Foundation, Yesufu said that many Nigerians who doubted Obi in 2023 had now embraced his message.
She argued that if the former Anambra State governor could perform remarkably well in the 2023 election with limited structures and followership, he would record an even stronger outing in 2027 as more Nigerians had come to appreciate his vision.
“Peter Obi has more hope in 2027 than he had in 2023. When he started running in 2023, many people said there were only four people tweeting in a room. But despite the rigging that happened, they still had to give him over six million votes.
“He won the 2023 election even when he had no councillor. A lot of people didn’t believe in him then. Today, people have seen the truth. He now has greater followership. All we are asking for is a free, fair, and credible election, which we know they do not have the capacity to deliver.
“So, what I’m saying to every Nigerian is that when you vote, ensure your vote is counted and entered for your candidate. Otherwise, all you did was paper painting.”
Asked to comment on the task before the newly designated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yesufu said she had no expectations from him.
“I don’t have any task for him because even the President that appointed him, I don’t believe he’s supposed to be there.
“For me, the focus is on the Nigerian people. I always say that INEC is not the problem; the people working in INEC are the problem.
“They are our sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, and relatives. We must ensure that they do not collect bribes or rig elections. If we do that, nobody will dare to do it.”
Yesufu lamented that the much-needed electoral reforms had yet to be implemented as the 2027 general elections draw nearer.
“Nothing has been put in place. Nigerians must understand that as we go into 2027, whatever election we are doing is a fight for our lives.”
The activist further argued that Nigeria’s problems are not spiritual but the result of bad governance.
“People are dying from bad governance, from corruption, and from the absence of the right policies.
“It’s not village people or enemies that are the problem, but bad policies and bad governance.
“If we want good governance, we must ensure that those who get into office are people of competence, character, and capacity — people who won’t loot or be selfish.”
On girl-child advocacy, Yesufu decried the continued neglect of the female gender in Nigeria, noting that both government and society had failed to address ills such as rape, child labour, and political exclusion.
She demanded stiffer penalties for those who abuse or exploit the girl child.
“Rape can be stopped in society if it is treated as a serious crime. Right now, it’s not treated as one — it’s made to look like a misdemeanor, as if it’s not a big deal. But it is a big deal.
“If you make it a crime, you punish offenders instead of shaming victims. When we do that, we give survivors the courage to speak out and begin to put an end to it.”
Earlier, the President of the Foundation, Ms. Nora Okafor, said the theme of the summit, “Finding Your Voice,” was chosen to inspire and empower young girls to overcome challenges and resist abuses.
She said the event aimed to sensitise more girls on how to identify, resist, and speak out against violations and discrimination.
Female students from various secondary schools across Abia State participated in the summit.
