By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON The recently conducted election into the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has been described a
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The recently conducted election into the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has been described as a charade.
An observer and a strong follower of athletics in Nigeria, Dr Maxwell Sunday, expressed this in a statement made available to our correspondent.
He expressed disappointment over the outcome of the election, tasking the National Sports Commission (NSC), to come clean and do the needful.
Read the full statement below:
STRONG CONDEMNATION OF THE JUNE 12, 2025 AFN ELECTION: A DISGRACEFUL AFFRONT TO NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY AND A SLAP IN THE FACE OF PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU
It is with profound disappointment and a deep sense of national betrayal that we address the reckless and disgraceful act orchestrated by a cabal within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) on June 12th, 2025, a sacred day in Nigeria’s democratic history. Instead of honoring the sacrifices of our heroes past and reflecting on the democratic journey of our nation, this self-serving clique hijacked Democracy Day to conduct a kangaroo election under questionable and non-transparent circumstances.
1. Disrespect to the Nation and Presidency
Conducting this charade on June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, amounts to a calculated insult to the soul of our democracy and an indirect affront to the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is not only a symbol of modern democratic resistance but one of the foremost champions of June 12’s legacy. To hold such a shady exercise on this day without presidential awareness or sports ministry supervision—reeks of impunity, arrogance and zero respect for the Nigerian state.
2. A Gang of Cronies and Personal Favoritism
The so-called “election” was nothing more than a meeting of friends and lovers, not a legitimate, transparent selection process. We have received credible information that one of the so-called board members was appointed not on merit, but because she is a girlfriend of a member of the old guard. What we are witnessing is not the promotion of athletics in Nigeria, but the recycling of a corrupt, incestuous circle of unaccountable individuals, bent on pocketing public resources and abusing institutional platforms.
3. The Purported Board Members: No Due Process, No Integrity
The following individuals are being paraded as new board members without recourse to the sports stakeholders across Nigeria, state representatives, coaches, athletes, or proper electoral procedure:
Supposed AFN Board Members:
1. Chief Tonobok Okowa – President (returned unchallenged without election transparency)
2. Ladan Abubakar Zurmi – VP 1 (under whose watch controversies have flourished)
3. Azuchukwu Aginam Chineze – VP 2 (controversial emergence)
4. Gabriel Okon – Member
5. Samuel Oniketu – Member
6. Fatima Yusuf – Member
7. Prof. Frank Atare – Member
8. Lekan Soetan – Member
9. Adamu Babayo – Member
10. Oluyomi Sule – Member
11. Victor Okorie – Member
Honorary Positions (handpicked without merit):
1. Dele Edokpayi – Legal Adviser
2. Dr. Nnneka Anibeze – COO
3. Kolawale Oredipe – Auditor
4. Babajide John Odedeji – Safeguarding Officer
Many of these names appear to have simply recycled themselves through backdoor maneuvering and lack any track record of active grassroots athletic development or national performance enhancement.
4. Silence of the Ministry of Sports and Stakeholders:
The Federal Ministry of Sports Development has a duty to safeguard Nigerian sports institutions from being hijacked by special interests. The failure to immediately disassociate from this illegitimate election calls into question the ministry’s commitment to democratic norms and good governance in sports administration. Why were stakeholders not consulted? Why the silence from Nigeria Olympic Committee? Why was there no electoral process or public participation?
5. The Future of Nigerian Athletics at Risk
Nigerian athletics is already reeling from years of poor performances, doping scandals, and weak athlete welfare policies. This so-called board promises nothing new—only a deepening of stagnation, administrative chaos, and the mass exodus of talent due to lack of leadership vision. It is clear that personal gain, not national progress, was the agenda on June 12.
OUR DEMANDS:
1. Immediate cancellation of the illegitimate election.
2. Institution of a neutral caretaker committee to conduct fresh, transparent elections within 30 days.
3. A Presidential intervention from His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to restore democratic order to the AFN.
4. Investigation of allegations of nepotism, abuse of office and mismanagement within AFN.
5. Public apology from the organizers of the June 12 electoral fraud to the Nigerian people and President Tinubu.
Nigeria cannot claim to practice democracy in the political space and tolerate dictatorship and impunity in sports administration. The soul of our sports institutions must reflect the values of transparency, merit, patriotism, and service to the people.
Let it be known: the era of backdoor boardroom politics in Nigerian sports is over. We will not be silent. We will not be intimidated. Nigerian athletes and stakeholders deserve better. This sham will not stand.
#ReclaimAFN
#June12Betrayal
#WeStandWithDemocracy
#CleanUpNigerianSports
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