Female presidential aspirant demands refund of nomination fee

Female presidential aspirant demands refund of nomination fee

Mrs Abisayo Busari-Akinnadeju, a 2027 Democratic Leadership Alliance, DLA, presidential aspirant has resigned from the party, demanding a refund of her presidential nomination fee.

The party had pegged the fees for Presidential Expression of Interest form at N2 million and N18 million for Nomination Form.

The DLA has however provided a 40% discount on all form fees for female aspirants.

Mrs Busari-Akinnadeju, in her letter to the National Chairman of the party, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in Akure on Friday, said that her exit was premised on the inability of the presidential party to conduct a free and fair primary.

The DLA chieftain said it was worrisome that the party leadership settled for a consensus candidate, a decision she described as inimical to the growth of the party.

“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.

“I do not resign in defeat. I resigned because I am not permitted a fair contest, and I will not lend my name to a process that has abandoned its own rules.

“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.

“I also ask for return of any personal documents, records, or materials of mine that remain in the possession of the party or any of its officers.

“I record my gratitude to members of the party across the country who gave their time and hope to the work we shared. They joined for the right reasons. They are not the cause of this decision, and they deserve far better than the conduct of those who now lead them,” she said.

She promised that she would not relent in her commitment to the presidential race and to the “Dare Nigeria mantra.”

“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.

“I will continue that work on a platform worthy of it.

“Nothing that has happened in recent weeks has changed my conviction. It has only confirmed why the change I am running to bring is necessary,” she said.

She said she invested her time, and resources with the belief that the party would offer a credible and lawful platform for the leadership Nigeria needs in 2027.

“The record speaks plainly, and I set it out here so that it is not forgotten.

“A party that cannot conduct a fair primary among its own aspirants cannot credibly promise a fair country to its citizens,” she said.

NAN reports that Busari-Akinnadeju hails from Akungba Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State .

NAN