The newly registered political party, the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), has formally launched its political movement with a strong call for credible leadership, institutional reforms, youth empowerment, and a transition from what it described as Nigeria’s
“consumption-driven economy” to a productive and innovation-based system.
Speaking at the party’s First National Convention held in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Chairman of the DLA, Barrister Samuel M. Memeh, said Nigeria’s current challenges were fundamentally rooted in poor leadership and weak governance.
Addressing party delegates, supporters, members of the diplomatic community, and invited guests, Memeh described the convention as “a defining moment” in the political evolution of Nigeria and the formal birth of a movement aimed at national transformation.
According to him, the convention, themed “The Road Map to Credible Leadership,” was not just a political gathering but the beginning of a reform-driven political culture built on “ideas, discipline, leadership, and national transformation.”
He stated that despite Nigeria’s enormous human and natural resources, millions of citizens continued to suffer from poverty, unemployment, insecurity, weak institutions, and economic instability because of leadership failure.
“Credible leadership is not built on propaganda, intimidation, ethnic sentiments, or empty promises. Credible leadership is built on vision, competence, integrity, accountability, courage, and sacrifice,” Memeh said.
The DLA chairman said the party was founded on an ideology centred on leadership development, science and technology-driven growth, justice, accountability, and institutional reforms.
He further stressed the need for Nigeria to abandon its overdependence on consumption and embrace industrial production, innovation, mechanised agriculture, renewable energy, and technology-driven development.
Memeh also raised concerns over the growing insecurity affecting farming communities across the country, blaming the crisis partly on the “poorly managed cattle business” and the failure to adequately protect farmers and farmlands.
According to him, the situation has contributed to violent conflicts, destruction of farmlands, displacement of rural populations, food insecurity, and worsening poverty.
“The Democratic Leadership Alliance believes that agriculture cannot thrive without security and proper regulation,” he said, adding that the party would pursue ranching reforms, rural security initiatives, and modern agricultural policies if given the opportunity.
The DLA chairman also criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the APC-led government of imposing hardship on Nigerians through worsening inflation, unemployment, and declining living standards.
He urged the government to prioritise practical policies capable of directly improving the welfare of ordinary citizens rather than measures that deepen economic hardship.
Highlighting the party’s youth-focused agenda, Memeh disclosed that 98 per cent of the party’s founding members were below the age of 30.
He said the party was currently sponsoring members for industrial and renewable energy training in Russia while also training over 10,000 Nigerian youths in web development, AI automation, blogging, and social media management.
“This is the difference between the politics of promises and the politics of preparation,” he stated.
Memeh further revealed that out of the 171 applications submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party registration, the DLA emerged as the only association that fulfilled all legal requirements and was officially registered on February 5, 2026.
On zoning and national unity, the DLA chairman said the party had deliberately decided not to restrict its presidential ticket to the Southern part of the country, insisting that leadership should be based on competence and patriotism rather than regional considerations.
