By Yahaya Idris
The controversy over the National Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Representatives ticket for Alimosho Federal Constituency, Lagos State, has taken a fresh turn as concerned party members and stakeholders called on Senator Seriake Dickson, the party’s national leader, to intervene in the dispute.
The group made the appeal in an open letter addressed to Dickson and copied to Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and members of the NDC National Executive.
According to the stakeholders, Hon. Ife Salako emerged as the winner of the Alimosho primary after securing 634 votes, while Toyin Omolabake reportedly polled six votes.
The group questioned why Salako’s reported victory was allegedly not reflected in the party’s House of Representatives ticket.
“Where is our mandate?” the stakeholders asked, insisting that the issue required a clear explanation from the party leadership.
Stakeholders Demand Answers
The group urged Senator Dickson to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged change in the Alimosho primary outcome.
It asked the NDC leadership to establish who authorised the reported change, which provision of the party’s rules was relied upon and what happened to the primary result.
The stakeholders also raised questions about the alleged involvement of Mr. John Ughulu and others in the controversy, while emphasising that the allegations should be properly investigated before any conclusions are reached.
They argued that the dispute was not simply about one aspirant but about the credibility of the party’s internal democratic process.
“This Is Not a Personal Fight”
The group maintained that the issue had gone beyond Salako’s personal political ambition, describing it as a matter concerning members and supporters who participated in the primary.
The stakeholders also cited the principle that votes must count, arguing that internal democracy within political parties should reflect the same values political organisations advocate for at the national level.
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They appealed to Dickson and other NDC leaders to resolve the dispute before it further damages confidence among the party’s grassroots members in Alimosho.
“We are not asking for a favour. We are asking for our mandate back,” the group stated.
The stakeholders concluded by reaffirming their support for Salako and declaring: “Ife Salako or nothing.”