Anietie Udobit, Abuja
Human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, has admitted that many Nigerians, including herself, are struggling to come to terms with the sight of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appearing together in public.
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Obi and El-Rufai were recently spotted at an event in Owerri, Imo State, sparking heated reactions among supporters and observers.
In a video shared via her 𝕏 handle, Yesufu said the development stirred mixed feelings, particularly among Obi’s supporters who still recall El-Rufai’s controversial tenure and utterances as governor.
Yesufu stated, “Seeing Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai together is a very hard one for a lot of people, myself included. For those who are supporting Peter Obi and seeing all the things El-Rufai did as governor of Kaduna State, his utterances and actions, anytime I see El-Rufai I’m thinking about Dadiyata.”
She disclosed that although she and El-Rufai were at the recent ADC unveiling, they avoided any conversation.
The activist stressed that political engagement often requires interacting with those one might personally disagree with.
She further stated, “For me, this is my test that politics is not a love affair. Does that mean that I have to be working in the same room with this person? But like I said, politics is not a love affair.”
Yesufu urged Nigerians not to see Obi’s meeting with El-Rufai as a betrayal but rather as part of the realities of political life.
“Yes, a lot of us feel bad, angry, pained seeing El-Rufai with Peter Obi, but let’s understand that in politics you have to deal with the good, the bad, and the ugly. Politics is not a love affair, so you want to be the leader of everyone,” she added.