DLA responds to accusations from former presidential candidate, says process was fair

The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has rejected claims by former presidential candidate Abisayo Modupe. She said she was unfairly left out of the party’s presidential screening process. The DLA insists that her disqualification followed the right procedures and guidelines.

In a statement on Sunday, signed by Deputy National Publicity Secretary Judith Aguenu, the party called Modupe's claims “false and misleading.”

The statement explained that Modupe's disqualification came after a proper screening exercise that followed the party's constitution. The DLA stated that she was not the only one who wanted the DLA’s presidential ticket.

“Three other aspirants bought nomination forms, took part in the screening exercise, and were evaluated according to the party's Constitution and guidelines. Those who met the necessary requirements were cleared to go ahead,” the statement read.

The party pointed out that Modupe also took part in the screening but did not get clearance from the relevant party bodies. “Abisayo Modupe also participated in the screening process but was not cleared by the appropriate organs of the party based on the outcome of the screening exercise,” Aguenu added.

The DLA further noted that no other candidate has questioned the fairness of the nomination and screening process. They accused Modupe of skipping internal conflict resolution methods to make public accusations instead.

“It is important that no other aspirant at any level of the party has raised complaints about the transparency or fairness of the nomination and screening exercises. Instead of using available internal methods to challenge her disqualification, Abisayo Modupe has chosen to make allegations against the party on social media,” the statement continued.

This situation comes as there is more focus on internal party democracy in Nigeria. Disputes from primary elections, candidate selection, and party leadership have often ended up in court or caused public controversies.

In this light, the DLA stated that it will not let personal grievances damage the party’s reputation or weaken its processes. “The Democratic Leadership Alliance is an institution built on discipline, due process, accountability, and respect for authority. We will not allow personal disappointment or individual ambition to undermine the integrity of our internal democratic processes,” the party said.

The DLA also warned political groups against bringing in people who may prioritize personal goals over party unity. “This unfortunate development should serve as a lesson to political parties on the need for thorough screening and continuous vigilance against individuals who seek to use political platforms for personal objectives while showing little regard for party discipline, institutional processes, and collective interests,” the statement explained.

The party said leadership roles need more than just political ambition. They emphasized that candidates for elective positions must show they can respect institutional procedures. “Political leadership is not just about holding an office or getting a party ticket. It requires character, maturity, competence, responsibility, and a commitment to service. Those who want to hold the highest offices in the land must also show respect for due process and the institutions through which leadership mandates are granted.”

When asked if Modupe’s exclusion was due to gender issues, the party rejected this claim. They said they support women’s political involvement. “We also reject any attempt to portray this matter as one of gender discrimination. The DLA remains one of the strongest advocates for women’s participation and leadership in politics, with women holding key positions in the party.”

The party urged the public to ignore what they called “misleading narratives” about the issue. They reaffirmed their commitment to internal democracy and their broader political goals. “The public is therefore advised to disregard the misleading narratives being circulated. The party remains united, focused, and committed to providing credible leadership alternatives for Nigeria,” the statement concluded.