Fresh controversy has erupted within Lions Clubs International District 404 A4 following allegations of manipulation and irregularities in the delegate nomination process ahead of the district election scheduled to be held in less than 24 hours.
Concerns were raised by members and observers who accused some officials of the Electoral Committee of allegedly interfering with the delegate submission process by pressuring club presidents to alter already approved delegate lists.
According to information gathered by journalists, the Electoral Committee had earlier directed that all delegate forms must be jointly signed by club presidents and secretaries and officially submitted through the email addresses of club presidents.
Sources explained that the approved procedure requires each club to nominate delegates through an internal process endorsed by the club leadership before forwarding the final list to the Electoral Committee for accreditation.
However, tension reportedly began after some club presidents allegedly came under pressure to withdraw or modify delegate lists that had already been submitted in accordance with the guidelines.
It was further alleged that where some presidents resisted such pressure, certain individuals allegedly linked to the district leadership approached other club members or board officials to submit alternative delegate lists different from those originally approved by the clubs.
The development has reportedly created anxiety and confusion among members within District 404 A4 as preparations intensify for the election.
Observers pointed to two cases currently generating significant concern within the district.
One of the cases reportedly involved Warri Oil City Lions Club, where the delegate form was said to have been duly signed by both the club president and secretary before being submitted through the president’s official email in line with Electoral Committee requirements.
Despite this, concerns later emerged following allegations that attempts were made to alter the names of delegates already submitted and acknowledged by the committee.
Another case reportedly involved Warri Integrity Lions Club, where a delegate form jointly endorsed by the president and secretary was also allegedly submitted through the president’s email address before controversy later surfaced over attempts to replace the list.
Sources alleged that pressure was mounted on the club leadership to produce a fresh delegate list, while another form later appeared with alleged irregularities, including questions surrounding signatures and the manner in which the document was submitted.
It was also claimed that the club president involved in the dispute became unreachable at some point during the controversy, further fueling suspicion among members.
Observers insisted that under the district’s electoral procedure, only delegate forms jointly signed by the club president and secretary and officially transmitted through the president’s email should be recognised by the Electoral Committee.
As concerns deepened, speculations also emerged that certain members of the Electoral Committee were allegedly working to influence the election in favour of a preferred candidate among the contenders.
Some members further alleged that a number of committee officials are closely associated with influential political figures in Delta State and may be attempting to influence the process to secure the emergence of a particular candidate.
The allegations have heightened tension within the district, especially after delegate lists were reportedly not made public less than 24 hours before the election, contrary to what some members described as established practice.
Critics claimed that the delay in releasing the lists has strengthened suspicions among members that names may have been altered or additional delegates inserted to favour a preferred camp.
With the election drawing closer, apprehension continues to grow among members, many of whom are calling for transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to the district’s electoral guidelines to preserve the integrity of the process.
As of the time of filing this report, no official response had been issued by the Electoral Committee regarding the allegations, while internal consultations and investigations were said to be ongoing within the district.
