The opposition Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has strongly rejected allegations by presidential aspirant, Abisayo Modupe, that she was excluded from the party’s presidential race on account of her gender.

DLA’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Judith Aguenu, in a statement described Modupe’s claims as false, misleading and an attempt to discredit the party’s internal democratic processes after she failed to secure clearance from the presidential screening committee.

The party maintained that Modupe’s disqualification was based solely on the outcome of the screening exercise and had nothing to do with her gender.

According to the DLA, Modupe was one of several aspirants who sought the party’s presidential ticket and was subjected to the same screening requirements and procedures as every other contestant.

The party explained that while three other aspirants who purchased nomination forms participated in the screening exercise and met the stipulated requirements, Modupe was not cleared following the outcome of the process conducted by the appropriate organs of the party.

The DLA said there was nothing unusual about her disqualification, noting that no other aspirant had questioned the transparency, credibility or fairness of the exercise.

Rather than utilize the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms, the party alleged that Modupe chose to take her grievances to social media, a move the party said was aimed at undermining its image and bringing its democratic processes into disrepute.

“The Democratic Leadership Alliance is an institution built on discipline, due process, accountability and respect for constituted authority. We will not allow personal disappointment or individual ambition to undermine the integrity of our internal democratic processes,” the statement said.

The party further argued that many of the crises that have destabilized political parties in the country often arise when individuals place personal ambition above party discipline, institutional processes and collective interests.

In what appeared to be a direct response to Modupe’s criticisms, the DLA stressed that political leadership requires character, competence, maturity and respect for due process, adding that those seeking the nation’s highest office must demonstrate confidence in and commitment to the institutions through which leadership mandates are acquired.

The party also dismissed attempts to frame the controversy as an issue of gender discrimination, insisting that women continue to occupy strategic positions within the DLA and remain integral to its leadership structure.

According to the party, its commitment to promoting female participation in politics remains unwavering, making claims of gender-based exclusion unfounded.

“The suggestion that gender played any role in the outcome of the screening exercise is entirely false and inconsistent with the reality of our party’s structure and values,” the statement added.

The DLA urged members of the public to disregard what it described as misleading narratives being circulated by Modupe and her supporters, reaffirming its commitment to transparent internal democracy, fairness and credible leadership recruitment.

The party added that it remains united and focused on its broader objective of providing Nigerians with a viable political alternative ahead of the 2027 general election.