Report reaching Blueprint indicates that the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Ibrahim Gusau, has allegedly been removed by some members of the federation on gross misconduct and mismanagement of funds.
The meeting was attended by; Hon Olamide George, Gabriel Okon, DIG Sani Mohammed (Rtd), Rosa Collins, Brown Ebewele, Charles Himal and Tafida Gadzama
Meanwhile, Nigeria athletes have claimed that their signatures were forged in order to remove the current Athletes Representatives on the Board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
Some of the athletes whose signatures were forged among the 137 have written a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to investigate how their signatures got into the letter.
It was gathered that the signatures were initially signed to apply for Identity Cards under the defunct Track and Field Athletes Union of Nigeria (TUFAUN) which was never registered at the 2016 All Nigeria Athletics Championships in Sapele, Delta State.
The Secretary of Nigerian Athletics Athletes Commission (NAAC), Moses Suleiman said the World Athletics does not recognize unionism that was why Track and Field Athletes Union of Nigeria was scrapped.
Suleiman said Sunday Adeleye has not been removed but may resign at the Extra Ordinary Congress in Awka, Anambra State.
He said, “Track and Field Athletes Union of Nigeria is not a recognized body in AFN and World Athletics. In fact, World Athletics frowns at unionism that was the main reason we had to register Nigerian Athletics Athletes Commission to be the mouthpiece of athletes in the country.
“The Athletes Representative cannot be removed by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD), the President or the Congress. Only the athletes with duly signed signatures can recall the Athletes Representative after they have shown their displeasures”.
He further said, “A letter was sent to the former Minister of Youth & Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Selcap Dalung, by TUFAUN with an attachment containing the 137 forged signatures. This was sent to the AFN and the Federation called the attention of NAAC to know their view”.
With the latest development, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) risks suspension by international federation on ground of interference evidence in this letter says former AFN President, Solomon Ogba.
Ogba stated this during the presence of Secretary General of Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Bawah Fuseini in Awka, Anambra state.
He revealed that Gabon Athletics Federation is under suspension for undue interference, and Nigeria may follow suit, with the Japan 2020 Olympics some months to go.
Ogba said that the decision to hold the AFN 2019 Congress in Awka, Anambra state was taken even before the appointment of the new AFN Sec Gen.
He said, “The real AFN Congress is in Awka and not Abuja as some of members who fail to form a quorum are gathered in Abuja. The gathering in Abuja is not the AFN Congress as it was unlawfully called by the new Sec Gen without taking directive from the president. Nigerian Athletics risks International suspension”.
