NDC Crisis Deepens In Lagos As Exco Reject Chairman’s Leadership Style

Fresh crisis has hit the Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as some members of the State Executive Committee have accused the party chairman, King Okuneye, of manipulating the outcome of the party’s primaries and running the chapter without proper consultation.

Naija News understands that the allegations were made on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, during a press conference in Ikeja by the Deputy Chairman of the party in the state, Akinwande Osikominu.

Osikominu said the briefing followed an emergency meeting attended by some members of the state executive.

He alleged that Okuneye had repeatedly sidelined other leaders of the party in major decisions, a development he said had created division and weakened confidence in the leadership of the Lagos chapter.

The deputy chairman said tension within the party worsened during the conduct of the recent primaries.

According to him, members of the State Executive Committee were not informed of a separate election committee allegedly set up by the national leadership until the collation stage of the exercise.

He described the development as embarrassing and damaging to internal trust.

Osikominu said, “Most embarrassingly, the State Exco was kept completely in the dark about the establishment of any parallel election committee by the National Body. We only learned of its existence during collation.

“This level of secrecy and exclusion sidelined the entire Executive Committee, leaving us humiliated and eroding trust in the leadership.”

Chairman Accused Of Altering Election Results

Osikominu further accused the chairman of disregarding decisions jointly reached by party leaders and unilaterally changing election reports and results.

He said such actions had deepened the sense of exclusion among members of the state executive and further weakened internal cohesion.

He alleged, “The Chairman stands accused of unilaterally altering election reports and results that were previously agreed upon through collaborative processes.

“This breach has further fractured internal cohesion and deepened the sense of exclusion felt by the State Exco.”

The deputy chairman warned that unless the issues were urgently addressed, the crisis could affect the party’s chances in future elections.

Osikominu also raised concerns over what he described as the chairman’s long absence from Lagos State.

He argued that effective party leadership required regular physical engagement with local structures, aspirants and grassroots members.

He said Okuneye’s absence had created an operational gap and made it difficult for the chairman to understand the political realities of the state.

Osikominu said, “King Okuneye has been resident outside Lagos State for several years. This prolonged physical absence has created a significant operational disconnect, impairing his ability to understand and respond to the unique dynamics, challenges and opportunities in Lagos.

“The resulting leadership vacuum continues to weaken grassroots coordination and threatens the party’s overall viability in the state.”

Party Funds Allegedly Diverted

The deputy chairman also alleged that the chairman had failed to properly constitute and publish an authentic list of local government executives.

He said the development had created confusion and competing claims to leadership positions in some local government areas.

Osikominu further raised concerns over the management of party finances, alleging that party funds were being paid into personal accounts without proper transparency or accountability.

He claimed, “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 also alleged that the party secretariat had been largely abandoned, with many official activities allegedly conducted in hotels, lounges and business centres instead of the designated party office.

Despite the allegations, Osikominu said the aggrieved members remained loyal to the national leadership of the NDC.

He called on the National Executive Committee of the party to investigate the issues raised and restore transparency, accountability and inclusiveness in the Lagos chapter.

According to him, the intervention of the national leadership is necessary to prevent further division and reposition the party ahead of future elections.

Chairman’s Camp Dismisses Allegations

Responding to the allegations, according to Daily Post, a source close to Okuneye, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated.

The source maintained that the chairman had performed well and denied allegations of result manipulation, high-handedness and diversion of funds.

The source said, “All the allegations are baseless. The chairman has been up and doing in the discharge of his duties. All those things about results manipulation, high-handedness and diversion of funds are pure lies.

“This is what happens when things do not go in the way of people. They wanted certain people to emerge at the primaries, but party members decided otherwise. They are just losers.

“They are a bunch of selfish, disloyal people who are bent on creating unnecessary problems in the party.”