Drama in Lagos sports circle on Wednesday as executives of the Lagos State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, staged a peaceful protest against what they described as victimisation of women in leadership.
The protest, which took place in Lagos on October 22, 2026, was led by the Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni. The group marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly where they submitted a protest letter.
In a statement signed by the Secretary of Lagos SWAN, Omotunde Bello, the chapter said it is rejecting in totality the purported three-man caretaker committee announced by the SWAN National Secretariat on October 14, 2026.
According to Lagos SWAN, the announcement is a constitutional usurpation, abuse of office and an affront to the electoral mandate freely given to the Oladunni-led executive.
“The National Leadership cannot arbitrarily supplant a validly elected State Executive with an unelected committee,” the statement said.
Lagos SWAN insists its executive emerged from a credible election conducted by SWANECO on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the SWAN Secretariat, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, and was duly sworn in. Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni was returned as Chairman alongside other officers for a three-year tenure that will expire in October 2028.
“As at today, we still have about two years of our mandate remaining. You cannot just wake up and wish away an elected executive by press release,” the chapter declared.
The chapter is asking the National President, Mr Isaiah Benjamin, and the National Executive Council to state clearly the constitutional provision that empowers them to dissolve a serving state executive, and to disclose the NEC resolution, date of meeting, and whether fair hearing was given to the Lagos executive.
Other questions raised include whether any competent organ lawfully suspended or removed the elected officers, and whether procedures for notice, quorum and voting were complied with.
Lagos SWAN described the move as abuse of office and exercise of powers beyond constitutional authority. It called for immediate suspension of all steps to implement the caretaker committee pending a transparent resolution in line with the association’s constitution.
The chapter also rejected the authority of the purported caretaker committee – Mr Patrick Omorodion, Mr Oni Afolabi and Ms Anulika Menanya – to demand chapter property, records, or to convene a congress.
It specifically disputed the proposed congress reportedly called by Omorodion and his associates for Friday, October 23, 2026, warning members to verify the constitutional authority of the gathering before participating.
“Our electoral mandate remains the central issue. Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni remains the Chairman of the elected Lagos SWAN Executive. An elected mandate cannot be displaced merely by proclamation. Constitutional authority must be demonstrated, not assumed,” the statement added.
The chapter said it remains calm but resolute, and will not hesitate to pursue all remedies under the SWAN Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to protect its mandate, property and lawful administration.
It called on all members to remain calm, uphold professional discipline and shun actions capable of escalating the crisis.
GATMASH NEWS
…News That Drives Impact
For advert placements and business inquiries, kindly reach us via:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Tel/WhatsApp: +234 (0) 807 202 2024
We value your voice! Share your stories, eyewitness reports, and contributions with us anytime:
📲 SMS/WhatsApp: +234 (0) 807 202 2024
📧 Email: [email protected]
Visit us online: https://gatmash.com
