2027: Lagos NDC leaders reject move to alter primary result, back Balogun’s candidacy

Leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos State say they won't accept any attempt to overturn the result of the party's direct primary that produced Mr. Naheem Balogun as the governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued after a strategic meeting in Lagos, the group — operating under the banner Lagos For Naheem Movement — declared that Balogun's name had already been uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal as the party's official candidate. They described reports that another name had been submitted as false and misleading.

The Public Relations Officer of the movement, Sunday Efe Forgive, signed the statement. The group warned that any effort to replace a candidate produced through a direct primary would amount to a disregard for the will of party members and could deepen internal divisions within the party.

“We'll resist every attempt to stampede Mr. Naheem Balogun out of a mandate freely given to him by party members,” the statement read in part.

The leaders said the controversy could weaken the party's electoral prospects in Lagos State if it isn't resolved through transparent engagement and adherence to the party's constitutional provisions. “The integrity of the NDC is at stake,” they added.

Some stakeholders at the meeting raised concerns about the alleged role of certain party executives in the preparation and submission of the electoral committee's report. They accused a party executive of aligning with influential political figures to advance his position within internal party affairs.

The NDC is a relatively new political party in Nigeria, formed ahead of the 2023 general elections. It's been trying to build a foothold in Lagos, a state dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A public dispute over its candidate could hurt its chances of making any impact in the 2027 race.

Balogun won the party's direct primary, where all registered members vote, as opposed to indirect primaries where only delegates choose the candidate. Direct primaries are generally seen as more democratic but can be harder to manage and easier to contest.

The Lagos For Naheem Movement is a support group that mobilises for Balogun within the party. Its members include party leaders, ward executives, and grassroots supporters.

With the 2027 elections still over a year away, the party has time to resolve the dispute. But the factional leaders made it clear they'll resist any move to sideline Balogun. “Until the result of the party primaries that produced Balogun is resolved through transparent engagement and adherence to the party’s constitutional provisions, the controversy could weaken the party’s electoral prospects in Lagos State,” the statement warned.

The next step is unclear. INEC hasn't commented on the submission of Balogun's name. The party's national leadership may need to intervene to prevent the dispute from escalating.

For now, the Lagos NDC is publicly divided. One camp insists the primary result stands. Another camp — which the movement accuses of trying to alter the outcome — hasn't yet responded publicly.