BY OBASA IDRIS OLUWANISHOLA
The Executive Committee of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Lagos chapter has called the attention of the Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Lekan Fatodu, to an impostor claiming to be the acting chairman of the association.
In a signed letter from the Chairman of the Lagos SWAN, Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, and the Secretary, Omotunde Bello, the association informed the management of the Lagos State Sports Commission that the association had no acting chairman at any time.
The letter, a copy that was made available to Sports Marketing International, reads: “The attention of the Chairman and Executive Committee of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State Chapter, under the able leadership of Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, has been drawn to a recent press release credited to your office on the subject matter titled ‘Creating Investment Through Sport.” Particularly on the distortion and misinformation of the current leadership of the SWAN Lagos State Chapter
“While SWAN Lagos State Chapter acknowledges and appreciates initiatives geared towards the development and commercialisation of sports in Lagos State, we consider it necessary, as critical stakeholders in the sports ecosystem, to address certain misrepresentations contained in the said release.
“In particular, the SWAN Lagos Exco unequivocally denounces the misinformation suggesting or recognising any individual as “Acting Chairman” of the Association in Lagos State. For the avoidance of doubt and for the record, Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni remains the duly elected and substantive Chairman of SWAN Lagos State Chapter.
Ambassador Oladunni emerged victorious in a free, fair, and transparent election conducted by SWANECO in October 2025. The election was in fact monitored by accredited civil societies and Law enforcement agencies, DSS, the Nigerian Police and a panel of Three Lawyers from the Nigeria Bar Association that conducted the swearing-in ceremony of Ambassador Olatutu Oladuni Administration for a second term of three years in office, which will expire in October 2028. At no time has the office of the Chairman been vacant, nor has any person been appointed or recognised as “Acting Chairman” of SWAN Lagos State Chapter.
“Consequently, the purported recognition of one Mr Aaron Akerejola as Acting Chairman is misleading, inaccurate, and does not reflect the true leadership structure of SWAN Lagos State Chapter. The Association hereby disassociates itself entirely from such claims.
“We therefore respectfully advise that the Lagos State Sports Commission refrain from meddling in or interfering with the internal affairs and governance of SWAN Lagos State Chapter. The independence of the Association must be preserved, and any actions or statements capable of causing confusion or division within its ranks should be avoided.
“SWAN Lagos Chapter remains committed to its role as a professional body and a key stakeholder in the advancement of sports development in Lagos State. We expect that mutual respect for institutional boundaries will continue to guide our engagement as we advance.”
