DLA Disowns Taraba Candidate’s Endorsement Of Tinubu

The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has disowned the reported endorsement of President Bola Tinubu by its governorship candidate in Taraba State, describing the move as unauthorised and summoning the candidate before its disciplinary committee.

The party said its national leadership was unaware of the endorsement until Friday, October 16, 2026, when reports of the development began circulating on social media.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s national chairman and leader, Samuel Memeh said the DLA had not authorised any endorsement of a political candidate outside its platform.

He said the party had initiated disciplinary proceedings to investigate the incident, adding that the Taraba governorship candidate had been invited to explain his actions before the party’s disciplinary committee.

“The DLA wishes to state categorically that the party has not authorised any endorsement of a political candidate outside its platform,” Memeh said.

He stressed that the party remained committed to its constitution, ideology, political principles and collective decisions, warning that individual interests would not be allowed to override the party’s established rules.

Memeh said the DLA considered any conduct that contravened its constitution, directives or duly established decisions a serious matter.

He added that appropriate sanctions would be imposed if the investigation established that the candidate had breached the party’s rules.

“Where the investigation establishes a breach of the party’s constitution or rules, appropriate disciplinary sanctions shall be imposed strictly in accordance with the DLA Constitution and established procedures,” he said.

The chairman, however, assured members that the disciplinary process would follow due process, with the party seeking to protect its institutional integrity and authority.

He warned that the DLA would not tolerate indiscipline among its leaders and candidates, unauthorised political commitments or actions capable of undermining its unity, credibility and collective interests.

The party also urged its members, supporters and the public not to draw premature conclusions about the Taraba incident while the investigation remained ongoing.

Memeh said the matter would be handled objectively and fairly, in line with the party’s established rules.

He explained that the development came as the DLA was repositioning itself ahead of the 2027 general elections, with plans to strengthen its structures from the ward level through local government areas and states to the national level.

According to him, the repositioning process also involves consolidating the party’s ideology, promoting internal discipline and accountability, and establishing mechanisms to improve its organisational effectiveness.

Memeh said the party was working to build a credible political platform anchored on ethical leadership, justice, accountability, leadership development and a science- and technology-driven economy.

He said the DLA intended to offer Nigerians an alternative political platform capable of providing practical solutions to the country’s challenges.

The chairman called on party leaders, candidates, members and supporters to remain committed to the party’s principles, strengthen its structures and prepare for the 2027 elections.

He maintained that no individual ambition should be allowed to undermine the party’s collective objectives or its efforts to build a disciplined and ideologically grounded political institution.