Nigerians in UK Twitter Community Rocked by Leadership Resignations Amid Financial Controversy
The President of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom (NIUK) on Twitter (X), Mr. Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as Oluomo of Derby, has announced his resignation following mounting criticisms over the group’s finances and leadership style.
The social media-based community, which boasts over 75,000 Nigerians, has served as a networking platform for members across the UK, occasionally organizing offline meetings and events. However, recent concerns over financial transparency and accountability have led to widespread discontent among members, culminating in the resignation of several top executives.
Leadership Exodus Amidst Financial Disputes
In addition to Oluomo of Derby, other key figures such as DHK Rullah and Idris Ayinde have also stepped down from their respective positions, citing the need for accountability.
Announcing his resignation via his X page on Thursday, Kuti admitted to shortcomings in financial transparency and pledged to oversee a smooth transition to new leadership.
“I take full responsibility for the turn of events over the years and the current unsettling state of the community,” he wrote.
“I regret my lack of absolute accountability and transparency. I am happy to hand over the presidency of the community to the next elected leader at the chosen time.”
Despite stepping down, Kuti noted that he would remain a Permanent Senior Consultant (PSC) within the organization.
Similarly, Idris Ayinde, who served as a volunteer consultant, stated that he had completed the financial statements and tax filings for the periods 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, marking the conclusion of his tenure.
“I hereby tender my resignation from the volunteer consultant role with immediate effect, as my job is now done,” he declared.
Meanwhile, DHK Rullah, one of the embattled executives, admitted to receiving funds improperly and vowed to refund the money in installments.
“I take full responsibility for my actions. As a tangible demonstration of my commitment to making amends, I will refund all the money I received,” he said, promising full repayment into the NIUK official account.
Financial Questions and Allegations of Mismanagement
The controversy surrounding the NIUK Twitter/X community stems from suspected financial irregularities, with members raising concerns over exponential increases in expenditure.
According to financial records released by the community, expenses surged from £9,440.41 in 2023 to £68,224.11 in 2024.
Some of the breakdowns include:
- 2023 Revenue: £36,035.55
- 2024 Revenue (Sponsorship & Donations): £2,997.00
- 2023 End-of-Year Party Cost: £7,225.65
- 2024 End-of-Year Party Cost: £5,061.00
- 2023 Community Support/Donations: £5,350.00
- 2024 Community Support/Donations: £813.65
The sharp rise in administrative expenses and fund allocation discrepancies prompted outrage among members, with many demanding further explanations.
Backlash from Members
Disgruntled members of the community have continued to question the credibility of the financial reports, with some calling for a complete audit and even the deletion of the NIUK Twitter/X account.
One user, Ola Dayo, queried:
“How did expenditure go from £9,440.41 in 2023 to £68,224.11 in 2024?”
Another user, Rire, insisted that the community account be deleted, reflecting the widespread distrust and frustration among members.
Despite the resignations, calls for accountability persist, with many demanding full disclosure of financial transactions and a restructuring of leadership to restore confidence in the community.
As the fallout continues, the future of the Nigerian Twitter/X community in the UK remains uncertain, with many members seeking a new direction and leadership approach.