Lagos NDC Exco petitions national leadership over alleged primary misconduct

By Lateef Ibrahim

A faction of the Lagos State Executive Committee of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the state chairman, King Okuneye, of manipulating party primaries and mismanaging party affairs, deepening an internal crisis within the opposition party.
The allegations were made during a press conference in Ikeja on Tuesday by the party’s deputy chairman, , following an emergency meeting of some executive committee members.
Osikominu alleged that the chairman had sidelined other members of the executive by taking major decisions unilaterally and operating the party without transparency or accountability.
According to him, tensions within the party escalated during the conduct of recent primary elections, with executive members allegedly kept in the dark about the existence of a parallel election committee reportedly constituted by the party’s national leadership.
He further accused the chairman of disregarding collective decisions reached by party stakeholders and creating divisions that could weaken the party’s electoral prospects ahead of future elections.
The deputy chairman also raised concerns over what he described as Okuneye’s prolonged absence from Lagos, arguing that it had created a leadership vacuum within the state chapter.
He alleged that the failure to publish an authentic list of local government executives had resulted in confusion across council areas, with rival groups laying claim to leadership positions.
On financial matters, Osikominu accused the chairman of operating party finances through personal accounts and unofficial channels, bypassing established structures and accountability mechanisms.
“Multiple aspirants have lodged consistent and verifiable complaints about exorbitant demands for funds to influence outcomes, secure favourable reports or gain access to party processes.
“Party funds are routinely channelled into the chairman’s personal accounts and other unofficial channels, with zero disclosure, no audits and no accountability. The state treasurer has been rendered completely redundant since inauguration, with no visibility into inflows or outflows,” he alleged.
The deputy chairman further claimed that the party secretariat had been largely abandoned, with official activities allegedly being conducted in hotels, lounges and business centres rather than the designated party office.
Despite the grievances, Osikominu reaffirmed the group’s loyalty to the party’s national leadership and called on the National Executive Committee to investigate the allegations and restore transparency, accountability and inclusiveness within the Lagos chapter.
Also speaking, urged the party’s national leadership to urgently address the crisis before it worsens.
The party’s welfare officer, , warned against any attempt to alter the outcome of the primary elections, saying many members were already dissatisfied with developments in the state chapter.
“Many party members across the state are unhappy with the situation. What we are witnessing is generating frustration and discontent among loyal members who have worked hard to build the party,” she said.
Similarly, expressed concern over alleged efforts to overturn the outcome of the party’s House of Representatives primary election in Amuwo-Odofin.