Omorodion defends Lagos SWAN caretaker committee, dismisses claims of women’s marginalization

Caretaker Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State chapter, Patrick Omorodion, has defended the composition of the chapter’s caretaker and electoral committees, dismissing allegations of women’s marginalization as unfounded.

Omorodion, a former National Vice President of SWAN and former Secretary of the Lagos chapter, maintained that the committees were constituted to restore order, reposition the association and pave the way for a free and fair election.

Appointed by the national leadership of SWAN on October 9, 2026, following the resignation of acting chairman Aron Akerejola, Omorodion said his emergence was part of efforts to prevent a leadership vacuum and resolve the lingering crisis within the Lagos chapter.

In a statement, he traced the leadership dispute to the suspension of Olatutu Oladunni, whose first term had expired but who, according to him, failed to comply with directives from the national leadership to follow due process in organising a fresh election.

Omorodion said the caretaker committee subsequently announced an Extraordinary Congress to discuss plans for repositioning the association and organising a credible election.

However, he stated that Oladunni responded by mobilising a group of women to protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly over claims of marginalization within Lagos SWAN.

Questioning the relevance of the protest to the association’s internal affairs, Omorodion described the allegations as an attempt to generate public sympathy amid the leadership dispute.

He also challenged the narrative that women had been excluded from the ongoing efforts to restore stability to the chapter, citing their representation on both committees.

“To put the records straight, in the three-man caretaker committee, there is a lady, Anulika Menanya, working with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN),” he said.

He further disclosed that three women serve on the seven-member SWAN Electoral Committee (SWANECO): Jovita Eke of Wazobia FM, Tega Onajaife of Cool FM and Dr. Suo Chapelle of SuperSport.

Omorodion questioned the basis of the marginalization claims, insisting that the composition of the committees demonstrated the inclusion of women in the process of rebuilding the association.

He also challenged Oladunni to identify the media organisations represented by the women who participated in the protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

On the history of the crisis, the caretaker chairman explained that the previous national administration under former SWAN President Honour Sirawoo had failed to ensure due process in the circumstances surrounding Oladunni’s emergence as Lagos chapter chairman.

He said the current national leadership, headed by Isaiah Benjamin, had taken a different position by insisting on compliance with established procedures.

According to Omorodion, the disagreement escalated when Oladunni rejected the national president’s authority to intervene in the affairs of the Lagos chapter.

He explained that the caretaker committee was established after Oladunni’s suspension and Akerejola’s resignation to ensure continuity and prevent a leadership vacuum.

The former national vice president also stressed that Oladunni attempted to get him dismissed by reporting him to the management of his employer, Vanguard Media, but the effort was unsuccessful.

Reflecting on the Extraordinary Congress, the Edo State born seasoned journalist said notable sports journalists attended the gathering in their numbers despite an attempt to disrupt the meeting through police intervention.

Omorodion a former board member and spokesperson of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), maintained that the gathering reflected the determination of members to rebuild the association and restore its internal democratic processes.

Beyond the leadership dispute, Omorodion raised the issue of the Lagos SWAN secretariat, which he said was built for the association by former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

He warned that the caretaker leadership would reclaim the facility when the time came, urging tenants conducting business with the current occupants to prepare for a possible change.

Declaring that he intended to focus on the responsibilities of his office rather than continue exchanging accusations, Omorodion said he would no longer be distracted by the controversy surrounding the chapter.

He called on members of Lagos SWAN, the national leadership and other stakeholders to support efforts to reposition the association and ensure that its affairs were conducted in accordance with due process.

The leadership dispute comes at a critical time for the Lagos chapter, with the caretaker committee expected to steer the association towards a fresh election and restore confidence among members.