Gadzama asks Nigeria Police, AIU and athletics stakeholders to call Okowa to order over abusive messages and threat
Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, first Vice President, Tafida Gadzama has asked the Nigeria Police, the Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU, and Nigerian athletics stakeholders to call Tonobok Ojuru Okowa, the federation’s President to order following the threat-laden, abusive message he sent to him via WhatsApp on Wednesday.
Gadzama revealed in a virtual chat with journalists that Okowa, the immediate past boss of the Delta State Sports Commission, abused and rained curses on him following the interview he granted to an online platform that the board of the AFN was not aware of the reported 250m naira he (Okowa) claimed to have spent sponsoring athletes to major competitions.
‘God will never forgive you. The wrath of God will not will not depart from your home. Only with my eyes will I witness your wailing and gnashing of teeth. It will never, ever be well with you again in life in Jesus mighty name,’ Gadzama revealed some of what Okowa sent to him on WhatsApp .
‘I was shocked when I saw his message and how he blamed me for whatever is happening to him.
‘As President of AFN, one of the Vice Presidents of Confederation of African Athletics, CAA, and a member of the global athletics family, I expected him (Okowa) to be presidential in his conduct and utterances.
‘I thought he could have told me I was wrong with my revelation about the N250m and either explain when the board met and approved the budget for the competitions and the money he intended to loan to the federation or take me to court for defamation or whatever offence(s),’ added Gadzama
The 1997 African U20 junior championships’ 400m champion revealed he has instructed his lawyers to file a complaint with the Nigeria Police.
‘The last time he bullied one of our board members, Victor Okorie, warning the former Nigeria International of the consequences of insisting that the AFN audit Committee report’s recommendations must be discussed at a board meeting of the federation.
The Sports Minister was told of the bullying but decided to ignore it. This is why I am not reporting this to Mr John Enoh.’
‘I am also preparing a petition to be sent to the AIU as this is a clear case of bullying and unethical behaviour. This is clearly against World Athletics’ code of conduct,’ said the 1999 African Games and 2000 Olympics gold medalist.
