Balogun traders protest the disputed BBA election timetable, demanding a caretaker committee and a constitutionally approved process
Traders and stakeholders of the Balogun Business Association (BBA) at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex staged a protest on Monday, November 9, 2026, over a disputed election timetable and the planned transition from the administration of outgoing president, Chief Oscar Odogwu.
The protesters accused Odogwu and members of his executive council of attempting to conduct an election without following the association’s constitution. They demanded that the current leadership hand over to a caretaker committee, which they insist should organise a fresh election.
The dispute has heightened tension within the association as the executive council’s tenure is expected to end on November 22.
One of the presidential aspirants, Emma Otunabo, said the protest was organised to express opposition to what he described as the outgoing leadership’s refusal to transfer responsibility for the election process to the appropriate body.
Otunabo questioned the authority of the incumbent executive to determine the election timetable, alleging that the proposed process did not comply with the association’s constitution and that the leadership dispute had also been affected by court cases.
He called for the election to be suspended until the constitutional issues were resolved, warning that proceeding under the disputed arrangement could undermine the legitimacy of the outcome.
Otunabo also criticised the timing of the planned election following the death of a BBA founding figure, Chief Okey Ezeibe.
“It is an aberration for Chief Odogwu and his cohort to be plotting to conduct election while the body of our founder, Chief Okay Ezibe, is lying in the morgue,” he said.
Another presidential aspirant, Chief Alex Obi Odunukwe, said members were not properly consulted before an election timetable was displayed at the association’s secretariat.
He alleged that the notice indicated November 17 as the election date, adding that several aspirants had refused to purchase nomination forms because they considered the process improper.
Odunukwe further claimed that lawyers representing the opposing factions had earlier been expected to meet to agree on an election date in February 2027, but the outgoing president’s lawyer failed to attend the planned meeting.
He maintained that the association’s constitution required the outgoing executive council to appoint a caretaker committee before the end of its tenure, with the committee responsible for organising the election.
The protesting members consequently demanded that the executive council be dissolved on November 22 and replaced by a caretaker committee. They proposed that the committee conduct the election within two months of assuming office.
The group also raised concerns over alleged activities of armed thugs and cult groups within the market complex, warning that the situation could escalate into violence if not addressed.
They urged the executive council to take steps to prevent intimidation and a possible breakdown of law and order.
However, the election dispute has also drawn support for the incumbent leadership. In a separate report, members of the One Love Family and supporters of Odogwu defended the electoral committee established by the current administration, insisting that the election should proceed.
Their representatives argued that the association’s constitution permits the establishment of an electoral committee and rejected allegations of thuggery around the secretariat. They maintained that the election should hold as scheduled, although reports have given November 16 and November 17 as the proposed dates.
The disagreement comes amid a history of leadership disputes at the BBA International Centre for Commerce. In 2024, traders had raised concerns over alleged harassment and intimidation linked to rival groups claiming authority within the association.
As the November 22 tenure deadline approaches, the opposing factions remain divided over who has the constitutional authority to organise the election, leaving the association facing a fresh test of its internal governance and ability to maintain peace within the market.
