Arewa APC Leaders have petitioned Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and demand the removal of Chairman Sa’adu Dandare Gulma.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the leaders of the Arewa Community within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State have filed a petition seeking the removal of their chairman, Sa’adu Yusuf Dandare Gulma, over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office and financial impropriety.
In the petition dated April 6, 2026, and addressed to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, leaders of the group accused Gulma of actions they claim have undermined unity and effective leadership within the Arewa APC structure in the state.
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The document, obtained by NewsOnline Nigeria, was signed by 40 out of 57 Arewa Community LGA/LCDA chairmen across the 57 councils in Lagos State and submitted through the Arewa Community APC Secretariat located along Ikorodu Road, Palmgrove, Lagos, and was officially received at Lagos House, Ikeja, on April 8.
According to the petitioners, who described themselves as members of the State Working Committee and leaders across the 40 local government areas of the Arewa Community APC in Lagos, several attempts were made to resolve the dispute internally but failed due to what they described as the chairman’s unwillingness to engage in reconciliation.
Allegations Against Chairman
In the petition, the group levelled an eleven-count allegation against Gulma, including dishonesty, lack of transparency in leadership, and actions they claim have deepened divisions within the Arewa APC community in Lagos.
They also questioned the chairman’s political associations, alleging that his relationship with certain individuals reportedly linked directly with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), raising concerns about loyalty within the party structure.
Other accusations listed in the petition include marginalisation of local government Arewa chairmen, unilateral appointments into the state executive, disregard for the Board of Trustees, and alleged violations of the community’s constitutional provisions.
The petitioners further alleged financial impropriety, claiming that funds donated to the organisation were not properly accounted for. They also criticised what they described as a “high-handed and authoritarian leadership style” that allegedly suppresses internal democracy and excludes stakeholders from key decisions.
Vote of No Confidence
Following the allegations, the petitioners said they had unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in Gulma’s leadership.
“In view of the above, we the stakeholders, leaders and the forty local government chairmen of the Arewa Community APC Lagos State hereby unanimously pass a vote of no confidence in the leadership of Alhaji Sa’adu Yusuf Dandare Gulma,” the document stated.
The group therefore called for his immediate removal as chairman of the Arewa Community APC in Lagos.
Appeal to Authorities
The petitioners urged Lagos State Governor to take note of the situation and use his office to ensure justice, fairness and restoration of unity within the Arewa APC structure in the state.
Copies of the petition were also sent to several key stakeholders including the Governor of Lagos State, the APC State Chairman, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and traditional leaders such as the Sarkin Hausawa and Sarkin Fulani of Lagos.
Signatories to the petition include Abubakar Ibrahim Soja, BOT member; Ahmed Kamba, BOT member; Umar Farooq, Bariga LCDA Chairman; Asabe Shafi’i, BOT member; Ali Ibrahim Malami, State Youth Leader; Gali Suleiman Kabir, Yaba LCDA Chairman; and Salisu D. Gezawa, Agege Local Government Chairman among others.
As of the time of filing this report, Gulma had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the petition.
