A group within the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), headed by Olatutu Oladunni, has dismissed the caretaker committee imposed by the association’s national leadership, calling the move unlawful and an unjustified intrusion into the affairs of the state chapter.
National body installs three-man caretaker panel
On October 14, 2026, SWAN’s national leadership named Patrick Omorodion as chairman of a three-member caretaker committee that is expected to run the Lagos chapter for three months. The decision was endorsed by National President Isaiah Benjamin and became effective immediately.
Oladunni’s group maintains that it emerged through an election held on October 9, 2025, at the SWAN Secretariat inside the National Stadium, Surulere. However, that election was not recognised by the national body and is still contested, while Oladunni does not have the backing of every member in the Lagos chapter.
In a letter signed by Secretary-General Ikenna Okonkwo, the newly appointed panel was given a broad set of responsibilities aimed at resolving the chapter’s internal issues.
- Re-establish stability within the Lagos State chapter.
- Retrieve, catalogue and keep records of the chapter’s property and documents.
- Encourage reconciliation and peaceful relations among members.
- Review and update the membership register.
- Help create a Lagos State SWAN Electoral Committee, known as SWANECO, to conduct another election.
- Submit regular reports to the National Secretariat.
Extraordinary Congress set for National Stadium
The caretaker committee has fixed an Extraordinary Congress for tomorrow at the National Stadium.
But the Oladunni-led group has rejected the planned gathering, labelling it illegal and arguing that its own executive mandate remains in force until October 2028.
Faction challenges caretaker committee’s authority
In a statement released by Oladunni, her executive said it “categorically and unequivocally rejects” the caretaker appointment, describing it as an attack on the democratic mandate granted by members.
“The National Executive Council cannot simply wish away an existing elected State Executive Committee by announcing a caretaker committee,” the statement said.
The faction added that the intervention raises major concerns over constitutional powers, the boundaries of national administration, the safeguarding of electoral mandates and adherence to the rule of law within SWAN.
Reasons given for rejecting the arrangement
The Oladunni faction listed a number of objections to the caretaker structure and the proposed October 23 congress.
- It said the caretaker committee lacks constitutional validity.
- It argued that an active electoral mandate cannot be set aside arbitrarily.
- It accused the national leadership of abusing its office and acting beyond the authority granted by the constitution.
- It claimed that neither fair hearing nor proper procedure was followed before the decision was made.
- It insisted that the caretaker body cannot take over duties assigned to an elected executive.
- It maintained that the October 23 congress is contested.
- It called on the national leadership to uphold the independence of state chapters.
