The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has presented Dr. Moses Adebisi as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections following the successful conduct of a presidential substitution primary.
The National Chairman and Leader of the party, Barr. Samuel M. Memeh, presented the Certificate of Return to Adebisi at a world press conference in Abuja, where he also outlined the party’s position on insecurity, economic hardship and governance in the country.
While receiving the certificate, Adebisi pledged that, if elected president in 2027, his administration would restore what he described as the human dignity eroded by successive administrations in the country.
He also promised to ensure a redistribution of the nation’s common wealth, with a focus on making life more affordable for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Adebisi lamented the persistent banditry attacks in parts of the northern states, blaming successive federal administrations for what he described as a lack of political will to decisively address the security challenge.
He called on Nigerian youths to rally behind his candidacy and work towards securing victory for the DLA in the 2027 presidential election.
Earlier, Memeh said the substitution primary was conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution and guidelines as well as applicable electoral requirements.
He said the party had taken the necessary steps to submit Adebisi’s name and relevant particulars to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Memeh, who was previously nominated as the party’s presidential candidate, said he voluntarily withdrew his candidacy after considering what he described as the overall interest of the party and the future of Nigeria.
He said leadership should be defined by service and sacrifice rather than personal ambition.
“I made that decision because I believe that leadership must never be about personal ambition alone. Leadership must be about service, sacrifice and placing the interest of the people and the nation above personal interest,” he said.
Memeh said he remained fully committed to working with Adebisi and other members of the party to provide Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative in 2027.
He expressed confidence in Adebisi’s capacity, energy and commitment to the country, saying he believed the candidate could provide the leadership Nigeria requires in line with the Constitution and the manifesto and ideology of the DLA.
Memeh, however, used the occasion to raise concerns over insecurity and economic hardship in the country.
He said insecurity continued to threaten lives and livelihoods in different parts of Nigeria, with communities living in fear, farmers afraid to go to their farms and businesses struggling.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent and practical steps to address the security challenges.
According to him, government needs to recruit more qualified security personnel, improve the welfare of security officers and provide them with adequate equipment, intelligence and infrastructure.
He said the country could not continue to rely on overstretched security agencies while insecurity was expanding across communities.
Memeh also called for greater attention to existing security infrastructure, arguing that the debate over state policing should not distract the Federal Government from addressing immediate security challenges.
He said some security facilities across the country had been abandoned, neglected or allowed to deteriorate and urged the government to rehabilitate and utilise existing institutions before creating new structures.
“We need more personnel. We need better welfare. We need functional facilities. We need equipment. And above all, we need leadership and accountability,” he said.
On the economy, the DLA chairman said the removal of fuel subsidy had imposed significant hardship on Nigerians.
He said the Federal Government had argued that the resources previously spent on subsidy had increased its financial capacity, including through higher allocations to state governments.
Memeh therefore called on President Tinubu to engage state governors and demand accountability over the use of increased allocations.
He said Nigerians should be able to see improvements in areas such as roads, healthcare, education, employment and security as a result of government spending.
“State governments receiving increased allocations must demonstrate clearly how those resources are being used to improve the lives of the people,” he said.
Memeh also urged President Tinubu to reconsider his pursuit of a second term if his administration was unable to demonstrate clear and measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians before the 2027 election.
He said the issue should not merely be about who would contest the next election but whether Nigerians were safer, more prosperous and more hopeful than before.
“Leadership must be measured by results,” Memeh said, adding that Nigeria could not afford another four years of policies and leadership that failed to deliver security, economic stability and improved living conditions.
He said his call was not motivated by personal hostility but by what he described as patriotism and concern for the future of the country.
“Nigeria is bigger than any individual. Nigeria is bigger than any political party. And Nigeria must survive and prosper beyond every government,” he said.
Memeh said the DLA would seek to provide Nigerians with an alternative ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that the party was committed to presenting policies and a practical vision for a secure, prosperous and united Nigeria.
He said the party’s ideology was founded on “Leadership, Justice and Economic Advancement”.
According to him, the DLA believes Nigeria can be secured, the economy can work for ordinary citizens, young people can be provided with opportunities and public institutions strengthened through accountable governance.
Memeh said the party was therefore presenting Adebisi as its presidential candidate with a commitment to offering the country what he described as a new direction.
“The road to 2027 has begun. And the Democratic Leadership Alliance is ready. Nigeria must come first. The Nigerian people must come first, and the future of our country must be secured,” he said.
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