The Democratic Leadership Alliance has referred its 2027 presidential candidate, Moses Adebisi, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Inspector-General of Police over alleged misconduct.
The party also announced the suspension of all presidential campaign activities and public appearances relating to Adebisi’s candidature pending the conclusion of its internal disciplinary process.
When contacted by our correspondent on Tuesday, Adebisi denied allegations of financial impropriety, saying he had paid more than N90m to revive the party and support its political activities.
The National Chairman of the party, Samuel Memeh, in a statement on Tuesday, explained that the party had initiated disciplinary proceedings following concerns over a financial commitment allegedly made by the candidate before the substitution primary held on August 20, 2026.
Memeh said, “The DLA wishes to notify its party faithful, the media, and the general public that Moses Adebisi who emerged as the party’s presidential candidate following the Party’s substitution primary of 20 August 2026, is currently undergoing disciplinary action by the Party and is subject of an ongoing criminal investigation by the EFCC and the Nigerian Police Force.
“The Party wishes to clarify the following: Following concerns arising from a personal financial undertaking made by Mr. Adebisi before the substitution primary, including a dud cheque issued by him, the party initiated its internal disciplinary process.
“By a letter dated 29 August 2026, the National Disciplinary Committee formally invited Mr. Adebisi to appear before it at its sitting held on 30 August 2026, to respond to the issues raised. Following that proceeding, the Committee issued a directive suspending all presidential campaign activities and public appearances relating to his candidature pending further resolution.
” The party has also formally referred the matter to the EFCC and the Inspector-General of Police for independent investigation.”
He, however, stressed that the party would not accept responsibility for personal financial commitments or transactions undertaken by individuals without its authorisation.
“Mr Adebisi remains responsible for his personal commitments and engagements, and the party will not permit its name, leadership or institutional identity to be used to validate unauthorised activities,” Memeh stated.
He added that the party had distanced itself from the candidate’s personal activities and political engagements that were not expressly authorised by the DLA.
Memeh consequently directed party members and candidates not to campaign for Adebisi as the party’s presidential candidate or use his photographs on campaign posters, flyers, banners, billboards and digital materials in a manner suggesting official party endorsement.
Adebisi said the allegations arose because the chairman of the party was attempting to negotiate with another presidential candidate using the party, insisting that such a move would be illegal because the party already had a candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
He said, “Recently, I got a message that Meme has started looking for a way to use the party to negotiate with another presidential candidate. I know that, because it is not permissible by law. The party has a presidential candidate in the person of Moses Adebisi. So, any attempt to sell off the party or endorse another presidential candidate is an effort in futility.
“The party has a presidential candidate, and that is me.”
Adebisi also denied allegations of financial impropriety, saying he had paid more than N90m to revive the party and support its political activities.
He explained that the N40m cheque issued to Meme was undated and intended as a guarantee for political activities, not a payment that could be cashed immediately.
“I didn’t issue a dated cheque to you; I issued an undated cheque. The cheque was just a guarantee for the political activities to commence, so that there is proof that a N40m bounty was signed to you, which you can take at any time,” he said.
Describing the party’s previous leadership as a money-making venture, Adebisi alleged that it was established for business purposes rather than to serve Nigerians.
He added, “It was only when I came into the picture that I revived the party. I brought the money and paid in excess of N90m. By the constitution of the party and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I remain the presidential candidate of the party for 2027.
“I don’t have any financial misappropriation with anybody.”
