IBADAN — The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has been thrown into internal turmoil ahead of the 2027 general elections, following a formal petition submitted to the party’s national leadership by aggrieved members seeking an urgent probe into the state chairman, Mrs. Oyeronke Akinlolu.

The petition—dated July 20, 2026, and signed by Engr. Oshiariyo Stephen Adeyinka alongside several party stakeholders—was addressed to the NDC National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, at the party's national secretariat in Abuja. Copies were also dispatched to the Deputy National Chairman (South West), Alhaji Babatunde Ali, and National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

The petitioners warned that unchecked internal misconduct and dictatorial practices within the state chapter could severely undermine the party’s credibility and electoral prospects in Oyo State ahead of 2027.

Core Allegations Against State Leadership

In the detailed document, the petitioners accused Mrs. Akinlolu of running the state chapter through arbitrary executive overreach and fostering an atmosphere of intimidation. Key grievances raised include:

  • Unilateral Executive Decisions: Taking critical party actions without consulting or seeking approval from the State Executive Committee (SEC) or relevant constitutional organs.

  • Arbitrary Mass Exclusions: Removing over 50 committed party members from the official Oyo State communication and WhatsApp platforms without due process or disciplinary hearings, creating severe communication gaps.

  • Unconstitutional Replacements: Removing recognized executive officers and substituting them with unapproved appointees outside statutory procedures.

  • Anti-Party Hostility: Demonstrating open hostility and public disloyalty toward the party's presidential ticket featuring Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, causing widespread disaffection among grassroots members.

"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... which, if left unchecked, may seriously undermine the credibility, unity, and electoral prospects of our great party in Oyo State."

— Excerpt from the NDC Petition

Demands for National Intervention

To prevent further factionalization, mistrust, and declining membership in Oyo State, the petitioners appealed to the NDC National Working Committee (NWC) to act swiftly.

They urged the national leadership to:

  1. Constitute an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations against the state chairman.

  2. Immediately reinstate all arbitrarily removed members onto official party communication platforms.

  3. Review and reverse all executive appointments made contrary to the party’s constitution.

  4. Initiate comprehensive reconciliation measures to restore internal democracy, inclusiveness, and member confidence across all local governments in Oyo State.

The national secretariat of the NDC is yet to issue an official response regarding the setup of an investigative committee as party faithful await directives from Abuja.