By Yahaya Idris
Aggrieved members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kaduna State have renewed their demand for the alleged mandate of Rakiya Baba Mohammed to be recognised, following a disputed primary election for the Kawo Constituency seat in the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
The demand was contained in a follow-up open letter dated September 20, 2026, addressed to the National Chairman, National Secretary, members of the National Working Committee and other stakeholders of the NDC.
The letter, signed by Comrade Silas Matthew Jonathan on behalf of aggrieved party members, alleged that Rakiya emerged victorious in the May 29, 2026 primary after securing 225 votes against 132 votes recorded by Yunusa Mohammed Salisu.
The signatories claimed that the results were compiled and endorsed by the Returning Officer, an INEC official and security representatives present at the exercise.
They alleged, however, that subsequent attempts were made within the party to alter or disregard the result and issue the nomination form to Yunusa Mohammed Salisu.
The allegation has not been independently established by the sources reviewed for this report.
The dispute comes against the background of the NDC’s publicly announced procedures for its 2026 primaries. Before the exercise, the party said State Assembly primaries would hold on May 29 and that results would be collated and forwarded to its national headquarters, where the National Working Committee would announce the results.
On May 31, the party also warned members of the public against relying on unofficial primary results circulating on social media, saying the results were with its National Executive Council, which it identified as the body responsible for the outcome.
In their latest letter, the Kaduna members said the alleged failure to recognise Rakiya’s result had created concerns among grassroots supporters.
They demanded that the national leadership immediately recognise her as the duly elected NDC candidate for Kawo Constituency.
They also called for the immediate release and forwarding of her nomination forms to the relevant authorities.
The group further demanded a public statement from the NDC leadership rejecting any attempt to substitute or alter the outcome of the May 29 primary.
The signatories warned that continued delay could turn the dispute into a wider political controversy for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
They argued that resolving the matter internally and transparently would help protect confidence in the party’s primary process.
The letter also appealed to the national leadership to demonstrate commitment to internal democracy, saying the votes of grassroots delegates should be respected.
The signatories said the dispute had particular implications for women, youths and grassroots members who expect party structures to protect the outcome of competitive primaries.
They urged the NDC leadership to act before the matter escalates beyond internal party channels.
https://www.coalcitynetwork.com/2026/08/from-dialogue-to-law-enugu-lays-legal.html
The letter was signed by Comrade Silas Matthew Jonathan on behalf of aggrieved NDC members in Kaduna State.
Other names listed were Garba Sani of Kawo Ward, Abdullahi Jumaare of Hanyin Banki Ward, Comrade Mukhtar Shehu of Kawo Ward, Abdulmalik Hassan of Ungwan Dosa Ward, Comrade M. Bello of Ungwan Shanu/Abakwa Ward and Hauwa Mohammed of Badarawa/Malali Ward.