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A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Democratic Leadership Alliance, Abisayo Busari-Akinnadeju, has declared that Nigeria’s political future can no longer remain in the hands of what she described as “recycled leadership,” insisting that young people and women must now rise to reshape the country’s destiny ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The 43-year-old lawyer, governance expert and civic leader made the declaration during a lengthy interview on UTV Africa and Peoples 105.5 FM Abuja, where she formally outlined her presidential ambition and unveiled her five-point “DARE Agenda” aimed at institutional reforms, economic inclusion, youth participation and national rebirth.
Busari-Akinnadeju, who is seeking to become Nigeria’s first elected female president, said the worsening economic hardship, insecurity and disconnect between government and citizens informed her decision to contest for the nation’s highest office.
“Why not?” she asked when questioned about contesting directly for the presidency rather than starting from lower political offices.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is clear as to who can become president. What Nigerians need now is competence, preparation and a genuine heart for service, not recycled leadership,” she said.
The aspirant argued that despite decades of male-dominated leadership in Nigeria, the country has continued to struggle with poverty, insecurity, unemployment and institutional decay.
“We’ve had governors, vice presidents, senators and former presidents return to ask for power again, yet the lives of ordinary Nigerians remain the same. If we truly want a new Nigeria, we cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results,” she stated.
Busari-Akinnadeju said her ambition was rooted in over 15 years of civic engagement and direct work with communities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, stressing that she had spent years studying governance models and leadership systems within and outside the country.
According to her, leadership must move beyond political entitlement and become people-centred.
“Nigerians deserve leadership that identifies with them. Leadership should not be far from the people,” she said.
The presidential hopeful highlighted her background as a lawyer trained at Obafemi Awolowo University, with further academic qualifications from King’s College London and University of Cambridge, noting that her educational pursuits were deliberately focused on understanding governance, law, economics and institutional reforms.
She also recounted her early involvement in civic advocacy, prison decongestion initiatives and humanitarian interventions, including support for internally displaced persons and indigent Nigerians unable to access legal services.
Busari-Akinnadeju dismissed suggestions that her gender and political background constituted disadvantages, insisting that competence rather than gender should determine leadership.
“It is time for Nigerian women and mothers to rise. Every nation needs a mother. The problems we face today affect every family,” she said.
The DLA aspirant further criticised successive administrations for implementing reforms without adequate citizen engagement and preparation.
While acknowledging that fuel subsidy removal and tax reforms were necessary, she argued that government failed to put adequate mitigation measures in place before implementing the policies.
“Good reforms done at the wrong time can still create hardship. Government must understand the realities of the people before introducing major policies,” she said.
She accused past leaders of remaining disconnected from ordinary Nigerians, adding that millions of citizens suffering economic hardship were often invisible within official policy circles.
Speaking on her governance blueprint, the presidential aspirant unveiled the “DARE Agenda,” a five-pillar reform framework she said would guide her administration if elected in 2027.
According to her, the agenda focuses on “Your Voice in Governance,” “An Economy That Sees You,” “Our Culture, Our Wealth,” infrastructure and energy reforms, as well as accountability-driven leadership.
Under the governance pillar, she promised greater citizen participation in budgeting and project monitoring at community levels, while her economic reforms would prioritise financial inclusion, support for the informal sector and small businesses.
She lamented that artisans, traders and local entrepreneurs who contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economy receive little institutional support.
“The informal sector is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, yet they receive the least recognition and access to credit,” she said.
Busari-Akinnadeju also pledged to promote indigenous industries, cultural exports and tourism development as alternative revenue sources for the country.
She maintained that Nigeria possesses enormous untapped potential in fashion, textiles, entertainment and tourism capable of generating global economic value if properly harnessed.
On infrastructure, she vowed to prioritise stable electricity supply and transportation reforms, describing Nigeria’s prolonged power crisis as unacceptable despite the country’s abundant energy resources.
“It is an aberration that a nation with so much potential still lives in darkness,” she declared.
The presidential hopeful further promised civil service reforms, judicial independence, transparency in public spending and measurable governance benchmarks.
She said her administration would embrace technology-driven governance and youth inclusion, warning that Nigeria risks falling behind globally if younger generations are excluded from leadership and innovation.
Busari-Akinnadeju said the Democratic Leadership Alliance was created to provide a platform for Nigerians, particularly youths, who feel excluded from mainstream politics.
She expressed confidence that Nigerians were ready for a new political direction ahead of 2027.
“Nigeria will rise, and we will indeed have a new Nigeria we can all be proud of,” she said.
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