Gadzama slams AFN over unconstitutional removal of Board Member, calls for action from ex-internationals

Former first vice president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Olympian Tafida Gadzama, has condemned what he describes as the illegal and unconstitutional removal of Olalekan Soetan, the Southwest representative on the AFN board, from the federation’s official WhatsApp platform.

The group, which serves as a virtual meeting point for board deliberations and information sharing, has become a flashpoint for controversy following Soetan’s ouster.

Soetan, a respected statistician and coach, had questioned the decision to allow a few board members to travel in business class to the 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, while athletes, except for world record holder Tobi Amusan, were flown in economy.

Amusan reportedly requested and was granted business class, but the rest of the team, including medal hopefuls, were not afforded the same consideration.

In response to Soetan’s query, the AFN leadership removed him from the WhatsApp platform, effectively silencing the South West constituency’s voice on the board.

Gadzama, who served on the previous board, described the move as unlawful and reminiscent of past acts of impunity that plagued the federation.

He recalled a similar incident involving veteran journalist Dare Esan, who was removed from the platform by then-president Tonobok Okowa.

Gadzama and other former internationals resisted the move, insisting Esan be reinstated.

‘We told him he cannot act at his whims and caprices, and that the AFN board is guided by its constitution,’ Gadzama said.

Now, Gadzama is calling on current board members, especially former athletes like Olympic medalist Fatimah Yusuf, Olu Sule, Solomon Aliyu, Victor and Henry Okorie, and technical director Gabriel Okon, to stand up against what he sees as a continuation of lawlessness.

‘This is the time for Fatimah to act as a woman who truly knows where the shoe pinches,’ he said. ‘If I led the fight for transparency, accountability, and fairness in the last board as an Olympic gold medalist, she should do the same now as another Olympic medalist.’

Gadzama expressed disappointment that the current board, which includes seven former athletes, has allowed such practices to persist.

‘I thought the Federation would embrace professionalism and orderliness, but what has happened today shows the AFN leopard has not changed its spots,’ he lamented.

The 1997 World U20 400m champion, 1999 African Games and 2000 Olympic 4x400m gold medalist believes the welfare of athletes should always be the primary focus of these former athletes.

He also questioned how co-opted board members received accreditation to travel to Tokyo while legitimate members like Yusuf, Soetan, Sule, and Aliyu were sidelined.

‘Instead of seeing Lekan Soetan as an asset, they are encouraging illegalities and elevating those who were not ‘properly elected’,’ he added.

Gadzama urged the National Sports Commission, which oversees the AFN, to intervene and remind federation officials that the AFN is not a private enterprise but a democratic association of equals.

He also raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the team’s travel arrangements and the temporary deal with kit manufacturer HiRacer, which some board members were reportedly unaware of.