The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos State is facing an internal crisis following allegations that the party’s National Secretariat has interfered with the outcome of itsrecently conducted primary elections, triggering anger among candidates, grassroots supporters and party sympathisers.
The controversy has reportedly placed the party’s electoral prospects in Lagos under serious pressure, with allegations ranging from ticket racketeering and manipulation of primary results to weakening grassroots structures and deliberately frustrating candidates who emerged through the party’s internal electoral process.
At the centre of the growing storm are allegations surrounding the roles of National Auditor Wole and Mr. John Ughulu, with party stakeholders calling on National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson to intervene and restore confidence in the party’s processes.
Sources within the party allege that several candidates who emerged from the primaries are now being denied the opportunity to contest on the platform of the party, despite having won their respective contests.
One of the cases generating significant attention is that of Mr. Ife Salako, the Lagos State coordinator of the Obidient movement and a prominent supporter of Peter Obi, who is said to have emerged from the primary election for the Alimosho Federal Constituency. His supporters have expressed concern over what they describe as attempts to undermine his mandate.
Another major flashpoint is the case of entrepreneur, philanthropist and grassroots political mobiliser Hon. Joseph Orukpe, who emerged from the party’s primary for the Ikeja Federal Constituency.
Orukpe, regarded by supporters as one of the party’s active grassroots mobilisers and political strategists in Lagos, is alleged to have fallen out of favour with some elements within the National Secretariat because of his support for Mr. Naheem Balogun, who his supporters maintain won the party’s Lagos governorship primary.
The controversy surrounding Balogun has further complicated the crisis, as his supporters allege that the candidate who emerged from the primary has also been denied the opportunity to fly the party’s flag.
The developments have sparked questions about the commitment of the NDC National Secretariat to internal democracy and its willingness to build a competitive electoral structure in Lagos.
Some party sympathisers have reportedly threatened to abandon the NDC for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) if the National Leadership fails to intervene and resolve the disputes. They are particularly calling on Senator Seriake Dickson to rein in officials accused of interfering with the outcome of the party’s primary elections.
A senior party stakeholder who spoke on condition of anonymity said the situation could have serious consequences if allowed to continue.
«“You cannot ask people to spend their resources, build structures, mobilise voters and participate in primaries, only to replace the outcome afterwards. That is how you destroy a political party from the grassroots.”»
The allegations have also fuelled speculation that opposition parties are already positioning themselves to benefit from the internal crisis.
There are unconfirmed reports that elements within the ADC are attempting to court some of the affected NDC candidates, particularly Hon. Joseph Orukpe, while there are also claims that the ruling party is interested in attracting Ife Salako, whose grassroots network and influence among younger voters could make him an attractive political asset.
Neither of these alleged approaches has been independently established.
However, political observers say the mere perception that opposition parties are attempting to exploit the crisis should serve as a warning to the NDC leadership.
Orukpe and Salako are viewed by supporters as part of a younger generation of politicians capable of mobilising grassroots voters and expanding the party’s appeal beyond its traditional structures. Their alleged marginalisation, critics argue, could therefore become costly for the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections.
The crisis has also generated a wider debate over the credibility of the party’s internal democracy. Some Lagos stakeholders argue that replacing candidates after primaries risks demoralising thousands of party members who participated in the process and invested their time and resources in building the party.
The growing sentiment among aggrieved members is that a political party cannot win elections by alienating the people who built its grassroots structures.
For the NDC, the challenge is now bigger than individual tickets. It is increasingly becoming a question of trust.
If the National Leadership fails to urgently address the allegations, reconcile the affected candidates and provide a transparent explanation of the circumstances surrounding the disputed tickets, the party could face a serious backlash in Lagos.
With the 2027 elections approaching, what began as an internal dispute over nominations could potentially develop into a wider political realignment, particularly if disgruntled candidates and their supporters begin moving towards rival political platforms.
For now, all eyes are on Senator Seriake Dickson and the National Leadership of the NDC.
The question being asked across the Lagos political space is simple:
Will the National Secretariat protect the integrity of the party’s primaries—or allow internal disputes over tickets to cost the NDC some of its strongest grassroots political assets?
