The incumbent chairman of the Bayelsa State Football Association Bar Poubeni Ogun has been re-elected as chairman of the State Football body for the third term.
Bar Ogun will pilot the affairs of the State Football Association in the next three years having successfully served the FA in the last six years.
Barr Ogun defeated Mr Ebi Egbe popularly known as Moni Love for the second time in a row with twelve votes while Ebi Egbe got seven votes among the 19 delegates that cast their ballot.
After several hours of debate and argument on the issue of chairman and vice chairman coming from the same local government, the election proceeded as incumbent vice chairman Fubara Owonaro emerged the winner over Mr. Tony Ogola with 14 votes against Ogola’s one vote.
Diseye Nwankwe the current secretary of the Bayelsa State Association was also re-elected as a board member in Bayelsa Central with eight votes, Mr. Pius Ziprebo six votes, and Chief Tywhite Deme three votes.
In a remark, a Representative of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barr Onoja Friday, commended the delegates and contestants for their peaceful conduct throughout the process, stating that the NFF electoral guidelines were duly followed.
Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Chief Daniel Igali represented by the Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, said he was impressed with the exercise and that the ministry would continue to collaborate with the FA.
He advised the contestants and the FA to make the rules available for aspirants next time to avoid litigations and as well contestants should read the electoral guidelines before purchasing a form to contest for the elections.
Sir Wodi, charged the FA to consolidate the achievements of the Prosperity government in sports development by improving the standards of the Association.
In an acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Football Association Bar Poubeni Ogun, thanked the delegates and the contestants for their sportsmanship throughout the process, stating that there is no victor no vanquished.
Barr Ogun explained that the FA would introduce new competitions especially the state Under 18 football league before the end of this year, pointing out that the mantra of the current administration is to make football a business for young Bayelsans.
In the meantime, a chairmanship candidate and vice chairman, Mr Ebi Egbe and Tony Ogola have threatened to challenge the outcome of the polls in court.
Both in an interview questioned the integrity of the electoral umpire and the entire process stating that they were shortchanged, describing it as the “more you look, the less you see” process, which according to them started from the local government elections.
