NIGERIA –Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, a strong ally of Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, has resigned from the Obidient Movement, a source familiar with the development reliably told News Band Newspaper.
Yesufu’s resignation from the movement, this medium understands, stems from the controversy surrounding the role she played in the famous Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) campaign during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The issue resurfaced on the internet after Mr. Scott Perry, a United States Congressman, alleged that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) spent over $697 million annually in funding terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and ISIS.
Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, made this claim during the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency on February 13, 2025.
The session, titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” focused on alleged misappropriations of taxpayer funds.
“Who gets some of that money? Does that name ring a bell to anybody in the room? Because your money, your money, $697 million annually, plus the shipments of cash funds in Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, terrorist training camps. That’s what it’s funding,” Perry said.
BBOG Campaign and Its Alleged Political Role
The BBOG campaign emerged following the kidnapping of about 300 Chibok girls in Borno State on April 14, 2014, by Boko Haram terrorists.
Some Nigerians believe that the abduction was orchestrated to discredit and remove former President Goodluck Jonathan, who hailed from a minority tribe in Nigeria
.
Dr. Jonathan eventually lost the 2015 general election to former President Muhammadu Buhari, with the BBOG campaign playing a significant role in his political downfall.
Following Scott Perry’s revelation, some Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) claimed that the BBOG movement was allegedly sponsored by USAID to remove Jonathan from power, demanding an explanation from Aisha Yesufu.
A user, @anthonyabakporo, wrote:
“I still stand that Aisha Yesufu @AishaYesufu should either apologize or tell us why she thinks she is innocent. Insulting David Hundeyin @DavidHundeyin is not addressing the ‘Truth.’”
Another X user, @ogidi_odogwu, questioned:
“Aisha Yesufu, what do you say about the exposé by @DOGE regarding USAID sponsoring Boko Haram and ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ campaign to unseat GEJ?”
Criticism mounted as @MikelBardsdale commented:
“Aisha, I’m sorry for you. Refusal to admit an honest mistake has destroyed your image and usefulness. Pride messed you up. Your value is now 20%.”
Aisha Yesufu’s Response and Resignation
Yesufu has, however, denied that USAID or any organization sponsored the BBOG campaign. She stated that she remains focused on working with Nigerians committed to positive leadership change.
“Just so you know, Aisha Yesufu is currently working with like-minded Nigerians who are not afraid to put in the work for Nigeria to be a great Nation.
“She is working on getting people with competence, character, and capacity into leadership positions. So they can give good governance, accountability, and transparency.”
An insider source told News Band that following the backlash from Scott Perry’s revelation, Aisha Yesufu decided to resign from the Obidient Movement to protect both her reputation and that of the movement.
“Aisha is no longer with the movement. She voluntarily resigned following the controversy that trailed the revelation of the Republican Congressman.
“Maybe, in due time, she will make her position official to the general public,” the source said.
By Damilola Adeleke | February 27, 2025
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
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