SWAN crisis deepens as Lagos chapter accuses national body of illegalities, dictatorship

The Lagos State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has dissociated itself from the national body for what it termed “illegalities and irregularities” in running the affairs of the union.
The association’s position is contained in a communiqué issued after its Congress on August 31 at the SWAN Secretariat, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos and signed by the Chairman, Dapo Sotuminu and Secretary, Bunmi Ogunyale.
The communiqué said: “ In view of the fact that due process was not followed in the purported registration of SWAN by the national body.
“The Lagos chapter of SWAN hereby dissociates itself from the registration and the current leadership of National SWAN until these issues are satisfactorily determined.
“Particularly, Lagos SWAN was not a party to any convention, full council meeting where the resolution was taken or ratified.
“Also, Lagos SWAN is not aware of any meeting at which the Trustees were elected or appointed or ratified.”
“Lagos SWAN disagrees with the lack of due process in the suspension of the Deputy National Secretary, Mr Wale Joseph, by the National Executive Committee.
“We find it undemocratic for any punitive action, no matter how tentative, to be taken against members without any hearing whatsoever.
“Furthermore, we consider it dangerous and against the interest of freedom of expression for members to be punished for expressing their opinions on issues at state congresses as is the case for which Wale Joseph has been persecuted.
“This in our view is a sure path to dictatorship which is capable of destroying the association.
“Lagos SWAN considers it unsafe for the interest of the association for the National Secretariat to be run without any of the elected National Secretary and the Deputy National Secretary.”
The communiqué said that “Lagos SWAN decries the lack of vision, commitment and non-existence of programmes and projects in the activities of the present national leadership.
“This is directed at impacting the welfare, capacity building of members and the advancement of professional practice,” it said.