Outspoken activist and social crusader Aisha Yesufu has called out the newly formed ADC-led opposition coalition for what she described as the “glaring absence” of women and young people in leadership roles.
Yesufu made the remarks in a pointed social media post on Wednesday, where she shared a photograph from the coalition’s recent high-level meeting. The image, which featured a room dominated almost entirely by older men, quickly drew attention and reignited the conversation around gender and generational inclusivity in Nigerian politics.
“This picture says it all,” Yesufu wrote. “Where are the women? Where are the young people? We cannot continue recycling the same faces and expect different results.”
While commending the coalition’s vision to rescue Nigeria from what it describes as misrule and economic hardship, Yesufu warned that any effort at national renewal must begin by giving meaningful space to underrepresented groups. She criticized what she called the “tokenism” of including women and youths only as symbolic participants, urging instead for real power-sharing.
“The same people who led us here cannot be the only ones charting the way out,” she said. “It’s time to step aside and let fresh ideas emerge from young, vibrant Nigerians—especially women who have always borne the brunt of failed policies.”
Yesufu also urged women and young people not to wait for invitations. “Get in, take space, and own it. Nobody will hand you power—you have to organize and seize it.”
The ADC-led coalition, which recently gained momentum with the high-profile defection of former Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami and the endorsement of former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, has pitched itself as a credible third force. But critics like Yesufu say real credibility will only come when inclusion becomes action, not just rhetoric.
As the political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections continues to unfold, Yesufu’s challenge may force the coalition to rethink its composition—or risk alienating the very demographics that have the power to swing the vote.