Lagos, Nigeria – June 2, 2026
A major crisis appears to be brewing within the Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as members of the State Executive Committee (Exco) have publicly accused the State Chairman, Hon. King Okuneye, of exclusionary leadership, financial opacity, and actions they say threaten the party’s electoral prospects.
Addressing journalists at the party’s State Secretariat in GRA, Ikeja, on Saturday, the Executive Committee said it was compelled to speak out after extensive consultations with stakeholders, party members, aspirants, and grassroots leaders across Lagos State.
The committee maintained that its decision to publicly raise concerns was motivated by a desire to protect the party’s future and ensure transparency ahead of forthcoming elections.
“We remain fully loyal to the National Leadership of the NDC and have never acted in defiance of the National Executive Committee,” the committee stated, adding that it was unaware of any arrangements by national officers to directly oversee party affairs in Lagos without the involvement of the State Exco.
Allegations of Exclusion and Leadership Disconnect
Among the grievances raised was the claim that Hon. Okuneye has been absent from Lagos State for several years, creating what the Exco described as a leadership vacuum and disconnect from local political realities.
According to the committee, the chairman’s prolonged absence has weakened grassroots coordination and hampered the party’s ability to effectively respond to political developments within the state.
Concerns Over Primary Election Management
The Exco also accused the chairman of gross mismanagement of the party’s primary election process.
Members alleged that the Lagos State Deputy Chairman, who was appointed to head the state’s Primaries Election Management Committee, was neither properly briefed nor provided with adequate resources to carry out the assignment.
The committee claimed election results were manually collated using pen and paper due to a lack of logistical support, with officials reportedly resorting to hotels and business centres to photocopy and staple documents during late-night hours.
The Exco further alleged that it was not informed about the existence of a separate election committee reportedly established by the national leadership until the collation stage, a development it described as humiliating and damaging to internal trust.
Dispute Over Local Government Structures
The Executive Committee accused the chairman of failing to formally publish and circulate the authentic list of Local Government Area (LGA) executives to relevant stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the committee, the resulting uncertainty has led to competing claims of legitimacy in several LGAs, fueling internal disputes and weakening the party’s grassroots structures.
Financial Accountability Questions
Perhaps the most serious allegations relate to financial management within the party.
The Exco claimed that several aspirants had complained about demands for funds allegedly linked to influencing party processes and securing favorable outcomes.
It further alleged that party funds were routinely paid into personal and unofficial accounts without proper disclosure, auditing, or oversight, while the State Treasurer had allegedly been sidelined from financial operations since the inauguration of the current leadership.
The committee argued that the lack of accountability had undermined confidence in the party’s administration and contributed to uneven resource allocation across party structures.
Secretariat Allegedly Non-Functional
The committee also criticized the condition of the Lagos State Secretariat in Ikeja, describing it as largely non-operational, poorly equipped, and lacking dedicated administrative personnel.
It alleged that official party activities and sensitive documentation were frequently handled outside the secretariat in hotels, lounges, cafes, and business centres, raising concerns about professionalism and security.
Call for National Intervention
The Executive Committee called on the national leadership of the NDC to urgently investigate the allegations and take decisive steps to restore transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness within the Lagos chapter.
The committee warned that unless the issues are addressed, the party could face significant challenges in presenting a strong electoral challenge in future elections.
“We are convinced that these persistent issues, particularly the marginalization of the State Exco, will make it extremely difficult for the NDC to mount any meaningful challenge in forthcoming elections unless urgently addressed,” the statement said.
Despite the tensions, the Exco appealed to party members and aspirants to remain united and committed to building a credible political platform in Lagos State.
As of the time of filing this report, Hon. King Okuneye had not publicly responded to the allegations.
— AlertGlobal News