By Kazeem Joel, Lagos

Concerned members and stakeholders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos State have demanded the immediate restoration of Hon. Ifeoluwa Adedayo Salako as the party’s candidate for the Alimosho Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The stakeholders made the demand in an open letter dated August 19, 2026, addressed to the national leadership of the NDC and the National Reconciliation Committee chaired by Professor Pat Utomi.

https://voxnews.com.ng/ndc-alimosho-crisis-ife-salako-mandat

They alleged that Salako won the party’s primary election for the Alimosho Federal Constituency with 634 votes, against his closest contender who, according to them, secured six votes.

The group said the primary was conducted in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, party leaders and accredited observers.

According to the stakeholders, the outcome reflected the genuine choice of delegates and should therefore remain valid and binding.

However, they expressed concern over what they described as alleged attempts to sideline or substitute Salako despite his reported victory at the primary.

The concerned members said such a development, if allowed to stand, could undermine confidence in the party’s internal democratic process and create divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.

They particularly urged the National Reconciliation Committee to intervene and resolve the matter in a manner that would preserve party unity and respect the outcome of the primary.

“The people of Alimosho spoke clearly. The delegates spoke loudly. The mandate belongs to Hon. Ife Salako,” the stakeholders stated in the letter.

The group further rejected what it described as “imposition, manipulation or backdoor substitution” of candidates, insisting that party members’ votes must be respected.

They also argued that Salako’s alleged victory was the product of his grassroots mobilisation, loyalty and longstanding engagement with stakeholders in Alimosho.

The stakeholders consequently outlined a number of demands, including the immediate restoration of Salako as the NDC candidate for the House of Representatives seat, public affirmation of the reported 634–6 primary result, and urgent intervention by the reconciliation committee.

They also called for an end to what they described as internal sabotage and elite interference in the party’s candidate-selection process.

The signatories warned that failure to address the grievance could affect the party’s credibility and cohesion in Lagos State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

https://guardian.ng/politics/adebayo-questions-tinubus-absence-from-national-peace-accord-signing/

The appeal was signed by several individuals identified as NDC stakeholders and community or mobilisation leaders in Alimosho, including Elder Ajetunmobi, Godwin Anugwo, Madam Azuka Onyenyiluonwu, Mrs Claribel Ekhator, Hon. Clinton Nathaniel, Comrade Abubakar Sani, Comrade Jimoh Olajide, Princess Umunakwe and Comrade Daniel Osadebe.

The NDC national leadership and Professor Pat Utomi-led reconciliation committee are yet to publicly respond to the allegations contained in the open letter.