Delegates and newly elected board members of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) have begun arriving in the nation’s capital, Abuja, ahead of the highly anticipated presidential election of the federation, scheduled for Thursday, June 12.
The election, which has faced several delays and a change in venue, was originally slated for May 31 in Asaba, Delta State.
However, following an advisory—widely seen as a directive—from the National Sports Commission (NSC), the AFN’s Extra Ordinary Congress in Abeokuta agreed to relocate the venue to Abuja, a neutral location. This decision was made in part due to the fact that three of the four presidential aspirants hail from Delta State.
Presidential Aspirants and Political Intrigue
The political dynamics within the AFN have intensified in recent weeks. One of the initial aspirants, Retired Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, a former Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence, has withdrawn from the race.
Another aspirant, Constantine Itiako Ikpokpo (popularly known as Malik), was defeated in the South-South Zonal election by Gabriel Okon in Benin City, Edo State.
Meanwhile, Sunday Adeleye’s candidacy remains uncertain. Having lost the North West Zonal seat to Ladan Abubakar Zurmi of Zamfara State, Adeleye’s participation hinges on the outcome of a pending appeal before the powerful Electoral Appeal Committee.
Zonal Disputes and Pending Elections
Tensions remain high in the South East Zone, where two candidates—incumbent Victor Okorie and former athlete Innocent Ugochukwu Iheme—are battling for the single available seat. The case is currently before the Election Appeal Committee.
Similarly, the election for Technical Officials and Coaches’ Representative remains undecided after two rounds of voting failed to produce a winner.
Solomon Aliyu and Professor Lucas Ogunjimi remain deadlocked, with a final decision expected in Abuja on Wednesday, June 11.
The controversial election of the National Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS) produced Fatima Yusuf, a former quarter-miler, as the representative.
Her election may yet be challenged on eligibility grounds. Yusuf is also considered a likely candidate for the role of Second Vice President of the Federation.
Elections for the Athletes’ Representative and the National Association of Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sports, and Dance (NAPHER-SD) are yet to be conducted.
Incumbent President Seeks Re-election
Chief Tonobok Okowa, the incumbent president, is seeking a second term. Speaking recently, Okowa expressed confidence in his administration’s track record.
“What we are doing in the Federation right now is critical to the success we all yearn for in athletics and Nigerian sports in general. We have laid a solid foundation through our ‘GET OUR ATHLETES IN SCHOOL’ program,” he said.
The initiative has enabled numerous athletes to secure scholarships and combine academics with athletics in U.S. colleges. Okowa also emphasized improved relationships with athletes and partnerships with state governments to promote athletics development nationwide.
Reflecting on AFN’s achievements during his tenure, Okowa said:
“At the World Youth Championship in Kenya, Team Nigeria came third. We performed excellently in Mauritius, Cameroon, Lusaka, the African Games in Ghana, the World Relay Championship in the Bahamas, and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Despite funding challenges, we fulfilled all championship obligations.”
New Leadership Composition
AFN’s Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, was re-elected to the board. Onikeku is tasked with overseeing technical operations, athlete development, coaching, and competitions. He is expected to build on the progress recorded over the past four years.
The incoming AFN board is dominated by former athletes—a development that observers view as a positive step, albeit one that depends on unity and cooperation within the board.
Confirmed Members of the New AFN Board:
Southwest Zone: Olalekan Stephen Soetan
South South Zone: Gabriel Okon
North East Zone: Adamu Babayo
North Central Zone: Olufemi Oladimeji Sule
Military/Para-Military Representative: Samuel Onikeku
International Sports Body Representative: Chief Tonobok Okowa
NAWIS Representative: Fatima Yusuf
Technical Officials Representative: Rtd. Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama
Secretary General: Israel Inyang
Note: Elections for the Athletes’ Representative, Philanthropist/Ex-Officio/Sponsor, and the NAPHER-SD representative are pending.
As Abuja becomes the focal point for Nigerian athletics this week, the outcome of Thursday’s election will shape the direction of the AFN and determine whether the current reform trajectory will continue or take a new course.
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