Members of the Lagos State chapter of the Sports activities Writers Affiliation of Nigeria (SWAN) have reaffirmed their assist for the Isaiah Benjamin–led Nationwide Government, urging strict adherence to the affiliation’s statutes within the conduct of the 2025 Lagos SWAN elections.
The members accused the present Lagos SWAN Government Committee, led by Oladunni Olatutu, of convening a “kangaroo congress” and establishing a three-man state electoral committee in clear contravention of the affiliation’s structure—particularly Article 12, Part G (sub-sections ii, iii, iv) and Article 12, Part I (sub-section ii).
In response to them, the Olatutu-led govt usurped the powers of the Lagos SWAN congress by imposing a SWANECO staff on the chapter, regardless of provisions that vest absolute authority on the congress, with the Nationwide Government holding the mandate to ratify such appointments whereas working with SWANECO on electoral pointers and timetable.
The members additional condemned acts of intimidation orchestrated by the Lagos state govt in connivance with the Lagos State Police Command. They recalled that no fewer than 15 police automobiles and over 40 officers from completely different divisions have been deployed to the venue on the final congress to create an environment of worry and elevating considerations inside the stadium neighborhood.
Whereas thanking the Nationwide SWAN for intervening to make sure that a correct congress was ultimately convened, the members expressed concern over makes an attempt by some preliminary SWANECO members imposed on Lagos SWAN, Victor Eyinnaya, Jerry Apeleokhai, and Joshua Uloko to frustrate different committee members from contributing positively to the electoral course of. They described their rigidity as a deliberate ploy that has stifled progress and undermined the aim of increasing SWANECO right into a full committee, as permitted on the solely congress recognised by the Nationwide SWAN in a letter dated 29 September.
A serious grievance raised was the unrealistic pricing of nomination types, which they described as a calculated transfer to show the electoral course of right into a contest for moneybags, successfully disenfranchising real members. Regardless of repeated requires a discount in charges which pegged costs of nomination type for Chairmanship place at ₦200,000; Vice Chairman at ₦120,000; Secretary at ₦120,000; Assistant Secretary at ₦100,000; Treasurer at ₦100,000; Monetary Secretary at ₦100,000; and Welfare Officer at ₦100,000, the three-man bloc inside SWANECO stood agency on their pricing construction. They justified the choice by claiming committee members have been entitled to 50% of all monies realised.
This stance not solely locations an unfair burden on members but in addition raises critical moral considerations, undermining the ideas of service, transparency, and equity anticipated of an electoral physique. These considerations have been highlighted in a protest letter earlier written to Nationwide SWAN by two different SWANECO members, McAnthony Anaelechukwu and Anulika Menanya.
The members insisted that the Lagos SWANECO, in its present type and mode of operation, will not be serving the curiosity of equity or inclusivity, however somewhat pursuing a slender agenda that undermines the integrity of SWAN in Lagos.
They subsequently referred to as on the Nationwide Government to urgently intervene, examine these practices, and take corrective measures to revive credibility and equity to the electoral course of in Lagos State
