Oyo NDC Members Petition National Leadership Over Alleged anti-Party Conduct

…abuse of office by state chair

A group of members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Oyo State has petitioned the party’s national leadership, calling for an investigation into a series of allegations levelled against the state chairman, Mrs Oyeronke Akinlolu, including alleged abuse of office, anti-democratic practices, anti-party conduct and actions they claimed are threatening the growth of the party in the state.

The petition, dated July 20, 2026, and addressed to the National Chairman of the party through the National Secretariat in Abuja, was signed by Engr. Oshiariyo Stephen Adeyinka and co-signed by other members.

Copies were also forwarded to the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South West), Prince Adesina Adekunle and the National Leader of the party, former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

In the petition cited by Vanguard, the aggrieved members said they were acting “in the interest of justice, internal democracy, party unity and the long-term growth of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Oyo State.”

According to the petitioners, “It is with great concern that we bring to the attention of the National Leadership a series of actions allegedly committed by the Oyo State Chairman of the party, Mrs Oyeronke Akinlolu, which, if left unchecked, may seriously undermine the credibility, unity and electoral prospects of our great party.”

The petition accused the state chairman of allegedly exercising the powers of her office arbitrarily by taking unilateral decisions without consulting the State Executive Committee or other relevant organs of the party.

The petition stated: “Mrs Oyeronke Akinlolu has allegedly exercised the powers of her office in an arbitrary manner, making unilateral decisions without consultation with the State Executive Committee or relevant party organs, contrary to the principles of transparency and collective leadership.”

The petitioners also alleged that the state chairman had consistently undermined internal democracy within the party by excluding members from decision-making processes and creating an atmosphere of intimidation.

“The State Chairman is alleged to have consistently suppressed internal democracy by excluding members from decision-making processes, refusing to encourage open discussions, and creating an atmosphere of intimidation within the party,” the petition read.

The aggrieved members further alleged that more than 50 members were removed from the party’s official Oyo State WhatsApp platform without any disciplinary process.

According to the petition, “Over fifty members of the party were arbitrarily removed from the official Oyo State WhatsApp platform without due process or any disciplinary proceedings.“

“This action has alienated committed members, weakened communication and created unnecessary divisions within the party.”

The petition also accused Mrs Akinlolu of alleged anti-party conduct, claiming that some of her actions and public statements had raised concerns about her commitment to the ideals and objectives of the party.

It added: “Several actions and utterances attributed to the State Chairman have raised serious concerns regarding loyalty to the ideals and objectives of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.“

“Such conduct has caused disaffection among members and has weakened confidence in the leadership of the State chapter.”

The petitioners equally alleged that the state chairman had removed or replaced recognised executive members without following constitutional procedures.

“The State Chairman is alleged to have removed or replaced duly recognised executive members without following the procedures laid down by the party’s constitution or obtaining the approval of the appropriate organs of the party,” the petition stated.

They further claimed that the leadership style allegedly adopted by the state chairman had deepened divisions within the Oyo State chapter of the party.

The petition further read: “Rather than promoting reconciliation and expansion of the party, the leadership style allegedly adopted by the State Chairman has resulted in factionalisation, mistrust, declining membership and internal crises that threaten the survival of the party in Oyo State.”

The petition also alleged that Mrs Akinlolu had openly expressed hostility towards the party’s presidential ticket comprising Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

“It has been alleged that the State Chairman has openly expressed dislike and shown hostility towards the party’s Presidential Candidate, H.E. Peter Obi, and his running mate, H.E. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.“

“Such conduct, if established, is inconsistent with the obligation of every party leader to promote and defend the party’s candidates at all levels,” the petition stated.

The petitioners argued that the allegations, taken together, portrayed “a pattern of leadership that is inconsistent with the democratic ideals, constitutional provisions and vision of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”

They urged the national leadership of the party to institute an independent investigation into the allegations, restore members allegedly removed from the party’s official communication platforms pending the outcome of the investigation, review executive appointments and replacements allegedly made outside the party’s constitution, and impose appropriate disciplinary measures if the allegations were substantiated.

The petition also called on the party leadership to introduce measures capable of restoring unity, inclusiveness, fairness and confidence among members of the Oyo State chapter.

“This petition is made in good faith and in the overall interest of strengthening our great party. We remain committed to the ideals of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and trust that the National Leadership will give this matter the urgent attention it deserves,” the petition concluded.