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Crisis rocks Lagos NDC as exco accuses chairman of manipulating primaries

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Cracks have emerged within the Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as members of the State Executive Committee accused the chairman, Mr King Okuneye, of manipulating the outcome of the party’s primaries and running the organisation without due consultation.

The allegations were made on Tuesday during a press conference in Ikeja by the party’s Deputy Chairman, Mr Akinwande Osikominu, following an emergency meeting attended by some members of the state executive.

Osikominu alleged that the chairman had consistently sidelined other party leaders in key decision-making processes, a situation he said had fueled internal divisions and weakened confidence in the leadership of the party.

According to him, tensions within the party reached a breaking point during the conduct of the recent primaries.

He claimed that members of the State Executive Committee were unaware of the existence of a separate election committee allegedly constituted by the party’s national leadership until the collation stage of the exercise.

“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,” he said.

The deputy chairman further accused Okuneye of disregarding decisions reached collectively by party leaders and unilaterally altering election reports and results.

“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,” Osikominu alleged.

He warned that the unresolved issues could undermine the party’s performance in future elections if urgent steps were not taken to address them.

Osikominu also expressed concern over what he described as the chairman’s prolonged absence from Lagos State, arguing that effective leadership requires constant engagement with party structures and grassroots members.

“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,” he said.

The deputy chairman further alleged that the chairman had failed to properly constitute and publish an authentic list of local government executives, a development he said had led to confusion and competing claims to leadership positions in several councils.

He also raised concerns over the management of party finances, alleging that party funds were being paid into personal accounts without adequate transparency or accountability.

“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 claimed.

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

Despite the grievances, he reaffirmed the loyalty of the executive members to the party’s national leadership and called on the National Executive Committee to investigate the allegations and restore transparency, accountability and inclusiveness within the Lagos chapter.

Responding to the allegations, a source close to the chairman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed the claims as unfounded and politically motivated.

The source maintained that Okuneye had performed effectively as chairman and denied accusations of result manipulation, financial misconduct and high-handedness.

“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,” the source said.




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2027: Ahmed Bala leads grassroots push for Seyi Tinubu’s youth agenda

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As Nigeria continues to pursue national renewal under the Renewed Hope Agenda, a growing number of grassroots leaders are playing critical roles in connecting citizens to governance, promoting civic participation and mobilizing support for national development. Among the most visible of these emerging voices is Hon. Ahmed Bala, Director General of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN).

Known for his energy, accessibility and commitment to grassroots engagement, Bala has built a reputation as a tireless mobilizer, bridge-builder and advocate for youth inclusion. Through RTIFN, he has helped create a nationwide platform that encourages Nigerians to actively participate in nation-building while supporting policies aimed at economic growth, national unity and social progress.

Over the years, Ahmed Bala has distinguished himself through extensive engagements across the country, using town hall meetings, stakeholder consultations, youth forums, media interactions and community outreach programmes to educate citizens on government policies and encourage constructive civic participation.

Under his leadership, RTIFN has grown into a vibrant movement with structures across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and a growing presence among Nigerians in the diaspora. The movement’s expansion reflects Bala’s belief that national development can only be achieved when citizens from all backgrounds are united by a common purpose.

One of his most notable achievements has been his ability to foster dialogue across ethnic, religious and regional divides. At a time when national cohesion remains a major challenge, Bala has consistently promoted a message of unity, urging Nigerians to place the country’s collective interests above sectional considerations.

His message continues to resonate with citizens who share a common aspiration for peace, stability and prosperity.

Recognizing that young people remain the backbone of Nigeria’s future, Ahmed Bala has placed youth mobilization at the heart of RTIFN’s activities. He has championed initiatives designed to engage youths from urban centres to rural communities, encouraging them to embrace leadership, entrepreneurship, community service and active citizenship.

Supporters say his grassroots approach has inspired thousands of young Nigerians to see themselves not merely as observers of governance but as active contributors to national development.

As a committed advocate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Bala has also devoted considerable effort to public enlightenment campaigns aimed at explaining government programmes, highlighting developmental initiatives and encouraging citizens to remain optimistic about Nigeria’s future.

His leadership style is widely described as inclusive, disciplined and service-oriented. Whether engaging traditional rulers, community leaders, students, artisans, traders or professionals, Bala has demonstrated a unique ability to connect with people at every level of society.

Central to his work is his association with Mr. Seyi Tinubu, whose commitment to youth development, empowerment and national service continues to inspire young Nigerians across the country. Drawing inspiration from Seyi Tinubu’s vision, Bala has expanded RTIFN’s reach while promoting values of patriotism, hard work, unity and responsible citizenship.

The movement recently recorded another milestone with the launch of its Nationwide Membership Registration Exercise, which commenced simultaneously in Abuja, the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking at the launch, Bala described the exercise as a call to patriotic Nigerians who believe in national unity, peace, economic prosperity and sustainable development.

“This registration exercise is more than just enrolling members into a movement. It is a call to all patriotic Nigerians who believe in the greatness of our nation and who are committed to supporting policies and programmes that promote national development, unity, peace, security and economic prosperity,” he said.

The registration exercise has also been extended to Nigerians in the diaspora, reflecting RTIFN’s growing international footprint and its determination to involve Nigerians everywhere in the country’s development journey.

Bala used the occasion to commend Seyi Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to youth development and inclusion, noting that his continuous engagement with young Nigerians has inspired hope and encouraged greater participation in national development efforts.

As RTIFN continues to expand nationwide, Ahmed Bala remains at the forefront of efforts to mobilize citizens, strengthen civic engagement and build confidence in Nigeria’s future.

For many observers, his growing influence reflects a broader movement aimed at connecting government policies with grassroots realities while encouraging Nigerians, particularly young people, to become active stakeholders in the country’s development.

Through his dedication, resilience and passion for public service, Ahmed Bala has emerged as one of the leading grassroots voices promoting national unity, youth empowerment and the Renewed Hope Agenda, helping to unite Nigerians around a shared vision of peace, prosperity and progress.




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ADC crisis: Court adjourns Nafiu Bala’s suit against David Mark

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned a suit filed by Mr Nafiu-Bala Gombe against the David Mark-led executives of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, until June 8 for hearing.

Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the case after Gombe’s lawyer, Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, applied for an adjournment following the absence of counsel to parties seeking to join the suit in court.

When the case was called, only the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and parties seeking joinder were not represented in court.

Although it was confirmed from the court record that INEC was duly served with hearing notice, parties seeking to join were not served.

Counsel to ADC, Shaibu Aruwa, SAN, called the attention of the court to the history of the suit in relation to parties applying for joinder.

He said the former trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, had taken judicial notice of them in the previous proceedings.

Aruwa, therefore, urged the court to accord the parties seeking for joinder same respect to come and say why they needed to be joined in the interest of fair hearing.

Besides, he said issues had already been joined with the parties seeking to join the case, and that the plaintiff was in the know.

Responding, Emukpoeruo gave a titbit about the Supreme Court judgement which ordered for an accelerated hearing of the case, in line with the earlier Appeal Court judgement.

The lawyer, who applied that all pending processes be filed and served, sought an adjournment to give the parties seeking to join the leverage for fair hearing.

ADC’s counsel, Aruwa; Suleiman Usman, SAN, who appeared for Sen. David Mark; Realwan Okpanachi, who represented Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and P. I. Oyewole, lawyer to Chief Ralp Nwosu, did not oppose the application for adjournment.

The defence counsel however informed the court that the attitude of the plaintiff, in applying for the reassignment of the case when the matter was before Justice Nwite, had allegedly frustrated the order of accelerated hearing of the apex court.

But Justice Lifu, who said that nobody has the right to choose which court his case should be determined, said based on the directive of the chief judge who assigned the case to him and the Supreme Court decision for accelerated hearing, he was bound to do justice to the matter.

The judge said the court would take the full responsibility for inability to effect service of the hearing notices on the parties seeking to join the suit.

He subsequently adjourned the matter until June 8 for hearing.

Justice Lifu, who ordered accelerated hearing of the case, directed the bailiff of the court to serve all the parties seeking to be joined in the suit within 24 hours of the order.

“In the circumstances of this case and overall interest of justice and order of the Supreme Court and the Appeal Court, this case is hereby given accelerated hearing,” he said.

He ordered all the parties to file and serve all their processes before the next adjourned




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APC Reps aspirant seeks review of Awe/Doma/Keana primary election

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An aspirant for the House of Representatives ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Awe/Doma/Keana Federal Constituency, Mahasin Usman Attah, has called on the party leadership to review the conduct and outcome of the recently concluded primary election in the constituency.

Addressing journalists in Lafia, Attah expressed concern over issues surrounding the exercise, insisting that concerns raised by party members and stakeholders should be objectively examined to preserve confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes.

The APC chieftain reaffirmed her loyalty to the ruling party and its leadership, stressing that strengthening internal democracy remains critical to the party’s unity, growth, and electoral success.

According to her, numerous complaints from delegates and party faithful across Awe, Doma, and Keana Local Government Areas have pointed to the need for a thorough assessment of the primary election to ensure transparency and credibility.

She maintained that her call for a review was motivated by a desire to protect the integrity of the APC and guarantee that all stakeholders feel adequately represented within the party structure.

“The credibility of any democratic process depends on fairness, transparency, and adherence to due process. It is important that concerns raised by party members are given the attention they deserve,” she stated.

Attah urged the party’s primary election committee, as well as state and national leaders of the APC, to carefully evaluate the grievances brought forward by stakeholders and take necessary steps in the interest of justice and party cohesion.

She noted that sustaining the trust of party members requires openness and a commitment to the principles upon which the APC was founded.

While calling for intervention from the party leadership, the aspirant appealed to her supporters and APC faithful across the federal constituency to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding.

She encouraged aggrieved members to pursue redress through the party’s established internal mechanisms rather than actions capable of undermining party unity.

Attah expressed confidence that the APC leadership would act fairly and responsibly in addressing the issues raised, adding that a transparent resolution of the matter would further strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

She reiterated her commitment to the APC and pledged to continue working for the progress of the party and the development of the Awe/Doma/Keana Federal Constituency.




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