Oyo NDC members petition national leadership over alleged abuse of office

A group of members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Oyo has petitioned the party’s national leadership, alleging abuse of office, anti-party conduct and anti-democratic practices against the state chairman, Mrs Oyeronke Akinlolu.

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

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

ALSO READ: Kogi: RTIFN highlights impact of Tinubu’s reforms

The petitioners 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 petition, “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 aggrieved members accused the state chairman of taking unilateral decisions without consulting the State Executive Committee and 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 Mrs Akinlolu had undermined internal democracy by excluding members from decision-making and creating an atmosphere of intimidation.

According to them, “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.”

They further claimed that more than 50 members were removed from the party’s official Oyo State WhatsApp platform without due process.

The petition read, “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 aggrieved members also accused the state chairman of anti-party conduct, alleging that some of her actions and public statements had weakened members’ confidence in the leadership.

The petition stated, “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.”

They further alleged that recognised executive members were removed or replaced without following constitutional procedures.

According to the petition, “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 petitioners maintained that the chairman’s leadership style had worsened divisions within the state chapter.

It added, “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 members also alleged that Mrs Akinlolu had openly expressed hostility towards the party’s presidential ticket.

The petition read, “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 petitioners urged the national leadership to set up an independent panel to investigate the allegations, restore members allegedly removed from the party’s communication platforms pending the outcome of the investigation, review executive appointments and replacements allegedly made outside constitutional provisions, and impose appropriate disciplinary measures if the allegations were substantiated.

They also called on the party to restore unity and confidence among members of the Oyo State chapter.

The petition concluded: “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.”

As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Chairman of the NDC, Mrs Oyeronke Akinlolu, had yet to publicly respond to the allegations contained in the petition.