Founder of the National Youth Alliance (NYA), Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, has officially emerged as the presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) for the 2027 general election.
Abbas emerged on Saturday morning during the party’s National Convention held in Abuja. He becomes the second northerner to throw his hat into the ring despite agitations for power to remain in the South in 2027.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, said the result was announced at about 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, with delegates and supporters erupting in jubilation at the convention venue.
Aliyu Bin Abbas is a former political aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is also the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The statement, however, stressed that Abbas’ presidential bid was independent and not tied to any former political alliance.
“However, for the avoidance of doubt and to clarify the distinct trajectory of this candidacy, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas steps into this race on his own merits and under a completely independent platform.
“While he previously served as a close political aide to Atiku Abubakar, who is also contesting the 2027 presidency under the ADC platform, that administrative chapter formally ended over two years ago. Following a widely recognised political divergence, both leaders parted ways, with public consensus affirming that Ambassador Aliyu should chart his own course to champion the cause of the younger generation.
“Therefore, this candidacy is entirely autonomous. It stands fully divorced from the influence of old political blocs, serving neither as a proxy movement nor a strategic alignment with past principals, but as a direct response to the yearning of millions of Nigerian youths seeking fresh, uncompromised leadership,” the statement said.
Speaking after his emergence, the Youth President of the National Youth Alliance described his victory as the beginning of a new era of leadership in Nigeria.
“This milestone represents more than a political victory; it signifies the emergence of a new generation of leadership committed to national renewal, inclusive governance, economic transformation and the empowerment of Nigerian youths.
