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A presidential aspirant of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Abisayo Busari-Akinnadeju, has resigned from the party, citing its failure to conduct a free and fair primary election held on May 29, 2026. She entered the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) 2027 presidential race in April 2026 after successfully passing its primary screening process.
Abisayo’s 2027 presidential campaign is built around the “Dare Nigeria Agenda,” a platform that emphasises transparency, credibility and grassroots participation in governance. The agenda encourages Nigerian citizens to move beyond political apathy and play an active role in building a more inclusive and accountable government.
In a resignation letter addressed to the party’s National Chairperson on May 29, 2026, Abisayo said her decision followed the party leadership’s adoption of a consensus candidate instead of allowing aspirants to contest in a transparent primary process.
According to her, the move was contrary to the principles of internal democracy and detrimental to the growth of the party.
“I will not resign in defeat. I resign because I am not permitted a fair contest, and I will not lend my name to a process that has abandoned its own rules,” she stated.
Abisayo requested written confirmation of her resignation and a refund of the presidential nomination fee she paid, noting that the party failed to provide the fair and lawful primary election for which the fee was intended. She also asked for the return of any personal documents, records, or materials belonging to her that remain in the possession of the party or its officials.
While expressing appreciation to party members across the country who supported her campaign, she said they deserved better leadership and a more transparent political process.
Abisayo Busari-Akinnadeju maintained that she would continue pursuing her political aspirations on a platform that aligns with her vision and values. She clarified that she joined the party believing it would provide a credible platform for leadership and democratic participation.
“My commitment to the 2027 presidential race and the Dare Agenda, and to the millions of Nigerians who have answered the call of #DareNigeria, is undimmed and, in fact, strengthened by what I have witnessed,” she said.
Abisayo Busari-Akinnadeju is among several female aspirants who have raised concerns about alleged bias and irregularities in party electoral processes. Similarly, Princess Islamiyat Abiodun Oyefusi, a former presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accused the party of unlawfully overturning the outcome of its Lagos State governorship primary election. She maintained that she emerged winner of the direct primary conducted on May 22, 2026, after securing the majority of valid votes cast by party members.
Also, Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, recounted how she and other politicians were reportedly assaulted and briefly held hostage by suspected political thugs during a disruption at the ADC headquarters in Abuja. Despite later emerging victorious in the election, se described the incident as a shocking, barbaric, and unprovoked act of political violence directed at herself, party officials, and a House of Representatives aspirant.
