Leadership crisis rocks Lagos NAPPS, as faction affirms Yusuf as President

The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Lagos State chapter is currently engulfed in crisis, as two factional leaders have emerged.

Already, a faction of the Lagos State Elders Forum and the Vice-Chapter Chairperson, Dr Omolayo Shokunbi, have passed a vote of no confidence on the newly elected president of the Lagos chapter, Dr Samuel Bodunde
and other officials.

The National President of the association, Mr Yomi Otubela, had after the election, announced the suspension of the state chairman, Chief Lukman Yusuf, over allegations of financial impropriety, unruly behaviour and insubordination to national authority.

At a press briefing last Monday, the Lagos State Elders Forum, led by its by its Chairman, Alhaji A.R.A. Bello, and Secretary, Temitope Odutola, condemned the alleged imposition of executives by Otubela.

The group said: “We, the members of Lagos State NAPPS Elders Forum, categorically denounce the imposition of some nominated leaders under Otubela. We stand on the 2017 NAPPS constitution without any form of bias. We advise our great educators to disregard any call for a meeting or notices from such a group.

“We affirm our loyalty to our duly elected president, Lukman  Yusuf, the National President, Hajia Semira Jubril and the Board of Trustees led by Dr. Mujinyawa.”

Similarly, Shokunbi, while reading a signed communiqué from concerned NAPPS Lagos Chapter members, reiterated that a vote of no confidence had been passed on  Bodunde and the newly elected executive.

The communiqué, addressed to the NAPPS National President and copied to the Council of Elders and Alimosho NAPPS, cited several reasons for the decision. Among them were:

“Alleged unilateral decision-making by Bodunde without consulting executive members, and lack of respect for and disregard for elders within the association.”

However, after the election last weekend, Otubela announced that concerned members and stakeholders in Lagos State had suspended Chief Alaka Yusuf, the state president of the NAPPS, due to financial mismanagement, unruly behavior, harassment of local government chairpersons, and insubordination to national authority.

In a goodwill message, Otunba Safiriyu  Ganiyu, representing the Board of Trustees, emphasised NAPPS Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and loyalty.

In a  call to action to all local chapters in Lagos State, NAPPS told them to “Adhere to the organisation’s rules and regulations, as mandated by the CAC-approved NAPPS 2023 Constitution. Prioritise transparency, accountability, and loyalty to NAPPS, ensuring the continued growth and success of the organisation.

“Recognise and respect only CAC-recognised incorporated trustees, upholding the legitimacy of the organization’s governance structure.