The Ondo State chapter of the Democratic Leadership Alliance has affirmed the candidacy of United States-based entrepreneur, Adebisi Olusoji, as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Olusoji, an indigene of Osun State, emerged through a substitution primary conducted by the party on Thursday at its secretariat in Akure, the Ondo State capital. His affirmation was decided through a voice vote by delegates.
The Chairman of the Electoral Committee, while addressing party members and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, said the exercise followed the withdrawal of the party’s earlier presidential candidate, Barrister Samuel M. Memeh.
He explained that the substitution was conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.
The Ondo State Chairman of the DLA, Oluwatosin Ayeni, said the emergence of Olusoji represented the party’s determination to usher in a new political direction for the country.
Ayeni said Nigerians had experienced the administrations of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party and were now looking for an alternative capable of delivering meaningful change.
He said, “Nigerians have seen it all. Both APC and PDP have demonstrated their capacities; they’ve given us their best hands. It is time for a change.”
According to him, the affirmation exercise was being held across the states and at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, following Memeh’s withdrawal from the presidential race.
Ayeni said the DLA was positioning itself as a credible alternative committed to providing purposeful leadership, adding that the party would also use its platform to advance its long-term political agenda for Ondo State.
He further vowed that the party would subject the APC-led administration to constructive scrutiny, particularly on policies and programmes that it believes do not serve the interests of Nigerians.
“DLA is set to put the ruling party on its toes. We will constructively criticise whatever programme we feel will not serve the best interest of the people of Ondo,” Ayeni stated.
