The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has confirmed American businessman Adebisi Olusoji as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Olusoji, an indigene of Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun Stateemerged through a surrogate primary held on Thursday at the party secretariat in Osogbo, where delegates affirmed his candidacy through oral voting.
The exercise followed the withdrawal of the party’s previous presidential candidate, Barrister Samuel Memeh, with the Electoral Committee Chairman, Olalekan Fabayo, describing the process as a constitutional requirement under the 2026 Electoral Act.
Fabayo, who addressed party members and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials during the exercise, said the replacement primaries were organized to formally fill the vacancy created by Memeh’s retirement.
“This replacement primary is in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Law of 2026. It became necessary after the withdrawal of our former presidential candidate,” he said.
Osun State DLA Chairman, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, said Olusoji’s emergence represented the party’s attempt to offer Nigerians a new political alternative, arguing that the country needed to move beyond the leadership styles associated with established political parties.
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Odeyemi said Nigerians had experienced the administrations and political approaches of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressing that the time had come for a “new beginning” capable of repositioning Nigeria among nations.
“We are here today to affirm our presidential candidate. This event will be held in all states and at our national headquarters in Abuja.
“Ambassador Olusoji will be confirmed following the withdrawal of our former presidential candidate, lawyer Samuel Memeh,” he said.
The DLA president said the party was determined to build its political structure around what he described as a clear vision, credible leadership and a commitment to field candidates capable of meeting the expectations of Nigerians.
He further revealed that Olusoji’s statement would also serve as a launching pad for the party’s broader political agenda in Osun ahead of 2030, while assuring that the DLA would remain active in scrutinizing the activities of the state government.
Odeyemi said the party would not hesitate to challenge policies or programs of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration that it deemed detrimental to the interests of the people, stressing that such opposition would be based on constructive criticism rather than political hostility.
“The DLA is ready to put the ruling party on alert. We will constructively criticize any program that we feel will not serve the best interests of the people of Osun,” he said.
The statement effectively positions Olusoji as the DLA’s standard-bearer as the party begins preparations to expand its political presence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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