…Insist election must hold Monday
By: Okosun Dennis
Angst and anger characterized the state headquarters of the Nigerian Legion, located at Bolade, Oshodi, on Monday, November 2, 2026, as legionnaires across the 57 local administrative councils protested against the former State Chairman, DCG Akeem Olawale Wolimoh, over alleged acts of deception and subterranean moves to hold on to power despite the dissolution of the State Executive Committee.
The crisis reportedly began shortly after he was sworn in as chairman, when he allegedly sidelined other executives and made administrative decisions for the Legion unilaterally without consulting council officials.
As tension intensified, some council executives alleged that DCG Wolimoh was attempting to manipulate the election screening process to pave the way for his eligibility to contest, despite his eight-year tenure having elapsed.
Chaos erupted on Monday when over 60 council executives and members gathered at the headquarters for a pre-election registration process, only for it to turn out to be a hoax.
An investigation by our correspondent, who watched events unfold and spoke to several aspirants and key officials, indicated that the crisis stemmed from allegations that DCG Akeem Olawale Wolimoh was averse to due process and intended to impose himself on the group as a chairmanship candidate.
Explaining how DCG Wolimoh allegedly manipulated the chapter’s politics and ran it as his personal property, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Legion, Comrade Olatunji Julius—who is also the Council Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government—claimed that a lack of transparency, corruption, embezzlement of Legion funds, and Wolimoh’s inordinate ambition to perpetuate himself in power caused the disharmony.
He alleged that a letter transmitted by the Ministry of Defence to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on August 12 to dissolve the State Council was intercepted by DCG Wolimoh and unnamed officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Alausa, compelling members to speak out.
He further stated, “Over the weekend, we were informed that officials from Abuja would be coming to the state headquarters today, Monday, November 2, 2026, to register and screen aspirants, as well as those eligible to vote and be voted for during the election.”
To their amazement, Olatunji narrated, “DCG Wolimoh, who was expected to spearhead the registration, clandestinely took some people into a vehicle and went to Alausa to hold a secret meeting.”
Meanwhile, one of the state chairmanship aspirants who spoke with our correspondent, Colonel Adedokun Olusegun, Chairman of Ijede LCDA, alleged that the leadership of the chapter was dishonest. “He is not accountable and cannot be trusted. Every pledged fund that was redeemed has been converted for his personal use,” Olusegun claimed.
In the same vein, the Secretary of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Salami Nasiru Ijeodola, expressed disappointment with the attitude of DCG Wolimoh, stating that he failed to call a general meeting before the dissolution of the council. Rather than carrying members along, he allegedly sidelined them and stifled the flow of relevant information.
“We petitioned against him before and were summoned to Abuja in September for a meeting. Unfortunately, he is bent on not relinquishing power, having served his mandatory eight years both as local council and state chairman,” Ijeodola said.
When asked if the local council election proposed for Monday, November 9, 2026, would hold, and what their next line of action would be if it did not, he retorted, “If the election doesn’t hold, I don’t know what will happen.”
He added, “People are very angry because they want the election to hold. We are protesting because DCG Wolimoh is a visible threat to the election. Secondly, anyone who is not eligible should not be allowed to contest. We will not tolerate any impunity.
“The letters confirming his ineligibility have already been sent to the National Headquarters of the Nigerian Legion, the Directorate of Veterans Affairs (Ministry of Defence), the Joint Service Commission (Ministry of Defence), and the Ministry of Home Affairs.”
When contacted, DCG Akeem Olawale Wolimoh denied working with faceless individuals to subvert the electioneering process. He explained that he has not completed an eight-year tenure.
Therefore, he argued that he is entitled to another four years, which is why he is contesting for the position of Chairman.
As the council elections across all 57 area councils hold tomorrow, followed subsequently by the chairmanship elections, it is expected that the outcomes will bring enduring peace to the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Legion.
