Nigerian presidential hopeful resigns, demands refund over 'unfair' party primary

Mrs. Abisayo Busari-Akinnadeju, a presidential hopeful for Nigeria's Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) in 2027, has resigned from the party, citing a lack of a fair electoral process. She stated that the party leadership's decision to settle for a consensus candidate was detrimental to the party's growth and opposed to her principles.

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I write to notify you, and through you the National Working Committee, of my resignation as a member of the Democratic Leadership Alliance with immediate effect from the date of this letter.

In a letter to the National Chairman, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria, Busari-Akinnadeju declared, "I do 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 is demanding a refund of her presidential nomination fee, arguing that the party failed to provide the fair and lawful primary it promised.

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I do 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.

Busari-Akinnadeju also requested the return of any personal documents or materials held by the party. Despite her resignation, she affirmed her commitment to the 2027 presidential race and the "Dare Nigeria" mantra, stating that her conviction has only been strengthened by her experience. She plans to continue her campaign on a platform that she believes is worthy of the cause.

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I therefore respectfully request the following: written confirmation of receipt of this resignation; a refund of the presidential nomination fee I paid, the consideration for which, a fair and lawful primary, the party has not provided.

"A party that cannot conduct a fair primary among its own aspirants cannot credibly promise a fair country to its citizens," she asserted, highlighting her belief that a credible leadership requires a fair internal process. Busari-Akinnadeju, who hails from Ondo State, expressed gratitude to party members who supported her campaign, emphasizing that they were not the cause of her decision.

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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 is, in fact, strengthened by what I have witnessed.