2027: Nigerian Youths Will Drive Change At Polls – Adebisi

Presidential candidate of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Moses Adebisi, has said Nigerian youths are prepared to pursue a change of government through the ballot in the 2027 general elections, blaming the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the country’s worsening economic hardship.

Adebisi, who spoke Thursday in Abuja at the formal commencement of the party’s national campaign, said the growing demand for political change was a consequence of what he described as the APC’s failure to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

He said the hardship experienced under President Bola Tinubu’s administration had reinforced the need for a change of leadership, alleging that the president was surrounded by people unwilling to tell him the truth about the country’s economic and social realities.

The DLA candidate expressed confidence that the 2027 elections would provide Nigerians, particularly young people, an opportunity to elect a government capable of addressing their concerns.

Also speaking at the event, the National Chairman and Leader of the DLA, Barrister Samuel M. Memeh, called for a fundamental change in the country’s approach to leadership and governance, identifying insecurity, poverty, unemployment and rising living costs as major challenges requiring urgent attention.

The event also featured the presentation of Certificates of Return to the party’s candidates for the 2027 general elections.

Memeh said the DLA was committed to promoting leadership anchored on competence, integrity, accountability, science, technology and service to the people.

On insecurity, he condemned persistent killings, kidnappings, banditry, terrorism and attacks on farming communities, insisting that Nigerians should be able to live, travel, work and farm without fear.

He said the party would advocate intelligence-driven security operations, the deployment of modern technology, improved training and equipment for security personnel, stronger intelligence sharing and greater accountability in the management of security funds.

The DLA chairman also called for reforms in the Nigeria Police Force, including improved professional training, better welfare, modern investigative tools and effective supervision.

He said the party supported consideration of constitutionally safeguarded state policing as a complementary measure to address insecurity, provided adequate safeguards were established to prevent political interference and protect citizens’ rights.

On the economy, Memeh argued that government policies should be assessed by their actual impact on citizens rather than their stated objectives.

He said policies that contributed to rising costs, declining purchasing power and increasing poverty should be reviewed, alongside measures to protect vulnerable Nigerians.

According to him, the Federal Government must demonstrate how its economic policies would translate into affordable food, employment opportunities, productive businesses and improved living standards.

He said the DLA favoured a transition from excessive dependence on consumption and imports towards domestic production, manufacturing, modern agriculture, renewable energy, science, technology and innovation.

Memeh added that investment in these sectors would create opportunities for young Nigerians to become skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, inventors and employers of labour.

The party chairman also urged its leaders at the national, state, local government and ward levels to take greater responsibility for addressing challenges in their communities, saying political leadership should extend beyond occupying offices and attending meetings.

He urged party officials to identify policy failures and develop practical alternatives that could improve the lives of Nigerians.

Addressing the party’s candidates, Memeh said the Certificates of Return and party flags presented to them represented responsibilities to the electorate rather than personal entitlements.

He charged them to conduct peaceful campaigns, comply with electoral laws, present credible policy proposals and engage voters respectfully.

He also called for unity and discipline within the party, warning that internal rivalries could undermine its objectives.

Memeh said the DLA was inviting Nigerians to scrutinise its candidates, ideology and policy proposals, adding that the party sought to build a country where public institutions function effectively and economic opportunities are accessible to all.

He formally declared the party’s campaign season open, urging Nigerians to judge the DLA by the substance of its proposals and the integrity of its actions.