DLA refunds N10.8m nomination fee to former presidential aspirant

Busari-Akinnadeju nomination fee refund confirmed as DLA returns ₦10.8 million after her withdrawal from the 2027 presidential race

The Democratic Leadership Alliance has refunded ₦10.8 million of the presidential nomination fee paid by its former presidential aspirant, Abisayo Busari-Akinnadeju, following her withdrawal from the party’s 2027 presidential race.

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Busari-Akinnadeju disclosed the development in a statement issued to journalists in Akure on Friday, noting that an outstanding balance of ₦1.2 million remains unpaid.

The politician resigned from the Democratic Leadership Alliance on May 28 after accusing the party’s leadership of imposing a consensus presidential candidate through a process she alleged violated the Electoral Act 2026.

“I want to say that the Democratic Leadership Alliance has refunded the presidential nomination fee I paid in April 2026, in respect of my aspiration for the Office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2027 general election,” she said.

According to Busari-Akinnadeju, she decided to leave the party after rejecting what she described as an unlawful consensus arrangement and facing disciplinary proceedings following her refusal to endorse the process.

“I resigned from the DLA on May 28 because of the imposition of a consensus candidate by means that did not comply with the Electoral Act 2026 and the use of a disciplinary process to remove me as a cleared aspirant when I could not endorse consensus mode,” she stated.

The former aspirant acknowledged receiving ₦10.8 million from the party and welcomed the refund, describing it as the right step.

“I acknowledge receipt of ₦10.8 million of the Presidential nomination fee I paid in April 2026. I note that a further ₦1.2 million remains outstanding. I am grateful that the party has chosen to do the right thing in this respect,” she added.

However, Busari-Akinnadeju stressed that the Busari-Akinnadeju Nomination Fee Refund did not resolve the concerns she had raised about the conduct of the party’s presidential primary process.

“It is important, however, that the meaning of this refund is not misunderstood. The return of the money does not restore the integrity of the process. It is an acknowledgement that the original collection was indefensible,” she said.

The former aspirant further alleged that efforts were made to prevent her participation in the party’s presidential primary election.

She claimed there was an attempt to block her screening process and later remove her through disciplinary measures after she had been cleared to contest.

“There was an intentional attempt to stop me from being screened, a disciplinary action to complete the process after screening,” she alleged.

Busari-Akinnadeju also claimed that state chairmen of the party were instructed not to attend the presidential primary at the party headquarters and instead submit figures to the national secretariat to facilitate the emergence of a consensus candidate.

According to her, the Electoral Act 2026 does not permit consensus candidature without the written consent of all cleared aspirants.

She said the issue now extends beyond the recovery of nomination fees and touches on the broader principle of ensuring fair participation for aspirants seeking elective office.

Busari-Akinnadeju thanked Nigerians who supported her position, stating that public scrutiny and engagement contributed to the eventual refund of the nomination fee.

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The Democratic Leadership Alliance has yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations regarding its presidential primary process.

Victory Emmanuel