Gusau intensifies campaign to return to AFN as President

Immediate past President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Shehu Ibrahim Gusau is reportedly talking to stakeholders in athletics as he continues his campaign to return as the leader of the sport in Nigeria.

Gusau spent four, crisis-ridden years as President of the Federation and lost his bid to return for another four years after World Athletics failed to recognize the elections he conducted in Kebbi which returned him as President.

Instead, the world governing body for track and field recognized the election held in Abuja, observed by both the Ministry of Sports Development and the Nigeria Olympic Committee, and which saw Tonobock Ojuru Okowa elected unopposed.

Gusau went to court and was also reported to have taken his non-recognition by World Athletics to the Court of Arbitration for Sports but over three years into a four year tenure, no judgement has been delivered by both judicial bodies.

Apparently recognizing the futility of the judicial moves, the former House of Representatives member has shifted focus to getting elected again following the appointment of Senator John Owan Enoh, his former colleague at the House of Representatives as the Minister of Sports Development in Nigeria.

Sportsnow.com.ng has reliably gathered that Gusau has consulted far and wide and believes he can get the whole of the north to rally round him, a move that will ensure he stays at the threshold of victory.

It is not certain yet if the incumbent is interested in returning for a second term but sources say he does not enjoy the support of the Sports Ministry.