Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has appealed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to rein in his supporters amid escalating online hostilities between opposition factions ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Yesufu accused backers of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate of orchestrating sustained social media attacks against supporters of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer Peter Obi.
In a post on her verified X account on Tuesday evening, Yesufu wrote: “An appeal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to call his supporters to order. They have been on a rampage on social media attacking supporters of Mr Peter Obi. I have been one of their targets.”
She expressed disappointment at the level of hostility, noting that she and Atiku had previously operated within the same political platform and expected greater restraint from his camp.
Yesufu urged opposition supporters to avoid internal friction as political activities intensify, arguing that rival factions should instead concentrate on presenting a united front to unseat President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
The activist, a prominent backer of Obi’s 2023 presidential bid, has remained one of his most vocal supporters.
Her intervention underscores the deepening rivalry between the Atiku and Obi camps, with disagreements over candidates, alliances and electoral strategy increasingly playing out in public — and on social media — as opposition parties ramp up preparations for the next general election.