Lagos, June 2, 2026 – Tension has escalated within the Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as members of the State Executive Committee on Tuesday accused the State Chairman, Mr King Okuneye, of alleged manipulation of the party’s primary election outcomes.
Speaking at a press briefing in Ikeja after an emergency meeting of some executive members, the Deputy State Chairman, Mr Akinwande Osikominu, alleged that the chairman had been running party affairs without transparency and taking key decisions without wider consultation.
He said these actions had widened internal divisions and could weaken the party’s chances in future elections.
Osikominu further claimed that controversy intensified during the recently concluded primaries, where, according to him, executive members were not informed of the existence of a parallel election committee allegedly set up by the national leadership.
He stated that the lack of communication created confusion during the collation process and sidelined the State Executive Committee.
He also alleged that election reports and results had been altered without collective approval, describing the situation as damaging to internal cohesion within the party.
According to him, the chairman’s prolonged stay outside Lagos had contributed to a leadership gap, affecting coordination of party activities at the grassroots level.
He argued that effective leadership required physical presence and continuous engagement with party structures across the state.
Osikominu also accused the leadership of failing to release an authentic list of local government executives, a situation he said had led to parallel claims of leadership in several councils.
On financial matters, he alleged that party funds were being diverted into private accounts without proper accountability, adding that aspirants had complained about excessive financial demands to influence processes.
He further claimed that the state secretariat had been largely inactive, with official activities reportedly taking place outside designated party offices.
Despite the allegations, Osikominu reaffirmed loyalty to the party’s national leadership and called for an investigation by the National Executive Committee to restore transparency and order within the Lagos structure.
Also speaking, the State Youth Leader, Mr Oluwanifemi Elegbede, urged the national leadership to pay closer attention to developments in the state chapter.
The State Welfare Officer, Mrs Juliet Ojudu, warned that internal disputes and alleged interference in primary results could undermine the party’s performance in the 2027 elections, noting growing dissatisfaction among members.
In a separate reaction, Mr Pastor Emmanuel Okibie, Chairman of the party in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, expressed concern over alleged attempts to alter the outcome of the House of Representatives primary election in his constituency, insisting that the process must be respected.
Other executive members present at the briefing included Betty Nwadike (Vice Chairman, Central), Olushile Akinyemi (Publicity Secretary), Chioma Ifeanyichukwu (Assistant Welfare Secretary), John Mabayomije (Treasurer), Osita Odobor (Assistant Treasurer), and Mrs Jaiyeola Taiwo (Woman Leader), alongside local government officials, aspirants and party members.
Attempts to reach the State Chairman, Mr King Okuneye, for comment were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered at the time of filing this report.
However, a party source close to the chairman dismissed the allegations, describing them as unfounded and politically motivated.
The source insisted that the chairman had performed his duties effectively and denied claims of result manipulation or financial misconduct, arguing that the controversy stemmed from dissatisfaction over primary election outcomes.