NSC: Why we advised AFN to postpone its elections

The National Sports Commission, NSC, has revealed reasons why it advised the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, to postpone elections into the board of the Federation scheduled to start on Wednesday at the zonal level.

In a letter addressed to Tonobok Okowa, the outgoing president of the Federation, and signed by Bukola Olopade, the Commission’s Director General, the NSC says the advice on postponement becomes necessary to ensure fairness and transparency as well as the timing of the elections.

The letter reads inter-alia: ‘The Commission is finalizing a comprehensive set of election guidelines to ensure that the process is credible, inclusive, and aligned with best practices.’

It also says the elections have been scheduled around the timing the National Sports Festival will be taking place in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

‘With the National Sports Festival fast approaching, the Commission’s attention and resources are fully committed to ensuring a successful outing.

‘It is in the best interest of all stakeholders that the elections do not conflict with preparations and activities related to the Festival,’ further wrote the NSC and advised that the elections should be postponed.

‘This letter serves to formally advise the Federation to postpone its upcoming elections, including the zonal elections into various positions, until mid-June 2025.’

The tenure of the present board of the AFN ends on June 15, 2025 and this means the NSC, by the powers conferred on it by article 31 of the AFN constitution, can dissolve the board on that date if the AFN Congress fails to do so.

The article states thus: ‘The AFN Board will be dissolved by the Congress at the expiration of four years in office before the Election of a new Board.

‘If Congress fails to dissolve the Board, the Board shall be dissolved by the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development’s pronouncement.’