Former AFN Board Member Challenges Aghazu’s Authority, Calls for Review of Board Membership
A former board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Dare Esan, has called on the federation’s Congress to review the status of its Second Vice President, Aku Aghazu, while urging the board to caution her over what he described as her alleged encroachment on the powers of the federation’s president.
Esan’s position follows Aghazu’s repeated media appearances in which she has spoken on the activities of the federation. The veteran journalist argued that the AFN Constitution (2023 as amended) designates the president as the federation’s lead representative and principal spokesperson.
Article 14.1.1.1 of the AFN Constitution states that the president shall ‘be the lead representative for Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the sport of Athletics in Nigeria’ and ‘be the main spokesperson for AFN in accordance with policies decided by the Executive Board, which may include delegating this responsibility to others.’
According to Esan, there is no indication that AFN President Tonobok Okowa has delegated that responsibility to Aghazu.
‘Article 14 of the AFN Constitution makes the president the main spokesperson for the federation. But Aghazu appears to be giving the impression that she is the one calling the shots in the federation,’ Esan said.
He added that even if the president decides to delegate his spokesperson responsibilities, the First Vice President should ordinarily be the next official considered for such a role.
Esan, who previously served as a member of the World Athletics Media Study Group at major international championships, also questioned Aghazu’s eligibility to serve on the AFN Executive Board and called on the federation’s Congress to examine the basis of her membership.
‘She did not fulfil the conditions necessary to become a member of the executive board of AFN. She is neither a sponsor nor an ex-officio member. So, what qualifies her to be on the board of AFN?’ he asked.
The former board member alleged that Aghazu was imposed on the federation, but stressed that her status should be properly clarified to prevent confusion over the leadership structure of the AFN.
‘If she is not called to order now and her membership of the AFN is properly defined, unsuspecting members of the public could be misled into thinking that she is the president of the federation,’ Esan said.
He, however, stressed that Tonobok Okowa remains the elected president of the AFN, having emerged from the federation’s Elective Congress held on June 15, 2025.
