Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A storm is brewing in Alimosho, Lagos State, as a coalition of aggrieved stakeholders has accused the National Democratic Congress of subverting the will of its members by overturning the outcome of the party's House of Representatives primary election. The group, operating under the banner Voice of Alimosho, alleges that the party replaced the clear winner of the exercise, Hon. Ife Salako, who polled 634 votes, with another aspirant who secured a paltry six votes. The accusation, made at a press briefing in Idimu, Ikotun, on Wednesday, has sparked outrage among party faithful and raised troubling questions about the integrity of the NDC's internal democratic processes, particularly as the party positions itself as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the coalition, the primary election was conducted to allow party members and delegates to choose their preferred candidate for the Alimosho Federal Constituency seat. Salako emerged victorious with 634 votes, a margin so overwhelming that it should have settled the matter conclusively. However, the stakeholders claim that the party leadership, without offering any official explanation, replaced Salako with another aspirant who allegedly received only six votes. "We ask a very simple question: How does a candidate who received 634 votes suddenly lose his mandate to a candidate who received six votes?" the group's representative, Umunakwe Princess, asked during the briefing. "If the primary election was conducted to allow party members and delegates to choose their candidate, then why conduct the primary in the first place if the outcome can simply be changed afterwards? Where is the democracy in this?"
The controversy is not merely about personalities, the group insisted. It is about the sanctity of the electoral process and the integrity of the votes cast by party members. "We want to bring national attention to what is happening with the Alimosho Federal Constituency NDC candidacy, where we believe the mandate freely given to Hon. Ife Salako is being taken away from him," the coalition stated. "It is not about fighting anybody. It is not about insulting anybody. It is not about personal hatred. It is about democracy. It is about the votes. It is about the people." The group argued that Salako had been a dedicated grassroots politician in Alimosho long before the emergence of the NDC, having been actively involved in the Labour Party movement during the 2023 general elections. According to the stakeholders, Salako had consistently supported party structures, funded the local government party secretariat, and provided scholarships and other assistance to residents, making him a familiar and trusted figure in the constituency.
The coalition cited Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of association, and argued that internal party democracy should not render the votes of members meaningless. "A primary election should mean something. A vote should mean something. A mandate should mean something," the statement added. The group also appealed to the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, referencing his repeated public calls for electoral integrity and the sanctity of votes. They asked whether the same principle should not apply within political parties themselves. The coalition's appeal to Obi is particularly significant given his public stance on electoral integrity and his reputation as a champion of democratic accountability. By invoking Obi's name, the stakeholders are essentially asking the party's standard-bearer to intervene and ensure that the party practices what it preaches.
This is not the first time the NDC has faced allegations of internal manipulation. In July 2026, aggrieved members and supporters of the party had petitioned the national leadership, demanding clarification over the outcome of the Alimosho primary. In a formal petition addressed to the party's National Chairman, dated July 18, the members expressed serious concerns about the integrity of the party's internal democratic processes. "If these reports are accurate, they raise serious concerns about the integrity of the party's internal democratic processes," the petitioners wrote. They cited Section 14(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for citizens' participation in governance, as well as Section 36 on the right to fair hearing, arguing that political parties should conduct their internal processes in accordance with constitutional principles, electoral laws, and their own constitutions.
The petitioners demanded that the party leadership clarify the official outcome of the primary election, explain the basis upon which the candidate was selected, confirm whether the party's constitution and applicable electoral laws were complied with, and take corrective measures if any irregularities were established. However, it appears that those demands were either ignored or inadequately addressed, leading to the current crisis. The July 18 petition had already put the party leadership on notice, warning that the controversy could undermine public confidence in the party. "Public confidence in any party depends not only on its public promises but also on its willingness to conduct its internal affairs fairly, transparently, and consistently with the principles of democratic governance," the petitioners had argued.
The Voice of Alimosho has now escalated the matter, calling on the NDC leadership to immediately restore Salako as the party's candidate. The group rejected what it termed "candidate imposition" and insisted that the outcome of the primary election must be respected. "We do not want an imposed candidate. We want the candidate chosen through the primary process to be allowed to represent the party," it said. The coalition's demand is straightforward and reflects a broader frustration with political parties that treat their own primary elections as mere formalities, subject to the whims of party leaders. By replacing a candidate who secured a landslide victory with one who garnered only a handful of votes, the NDC risks alienating its core supporters and undermining its credibility as a democratic alternative.
The timing of the controversy is particularly sensitive, coming just over a year before the 2027 general elections. Alimosho, as Nigeria's largest local government area, is a critical battleground for any political party seeking to make an impact in Lagos State. The NDC, which is positioning itself as a major player in the 2027 elections, cannot afford to be seen as a party that disregards the will of its members. The Voice of Alimosho has made it clear that it will not remain silent, and its members have vowed to continue their protest until the mandate of the people is respected. As one of the stakeholders put it, "The controversy is not about fighting anybody. It is about democracy. It is about the votes. It is about the people."
The NDC leadership has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations, but the pressure is mounting. The party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who has built his political brand on a platform of integrity and accountability, may be compelled to intervene to prevent the crisis from spiraling out of control. For now, the people of Alimosho are watching, and they are demanding answers. The question on everyone's mind is whether the NDC will uphold the democratic principles it claims to champion or whether it will allow the voices of its members to be silenced by the interests of a few. The answer to that question will determine not only the fate of the Alimosho candidacy but also the credibility of the party as it prepares for the 2027 elections.
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