By Mike Oboh
Inconsistency in policy implementation will continue to be the bane of improving the electoral process into sports federations in Nigeria if not addressed.
The Director General of the Athletics Federation (AFN) Mr. Siminialayi Young Pepple said this in an interview with Daybreak Sports in Abuja.
Pepple said it was unfortunate that the ministers often appointed do not follow some of the good steps taken by their predecessor to give muscles to the healthy running of sports administratively in the country.
Speaking on the backdrop of the decision of the AFN congress to conduct its elective congress in Kebbi State on June 14, the Director General noted that the Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) has given its approval for the election to hold in line with its constitution which was approved by the AFN congress in 2019.
He said the ministry can not stop the election from holding as the AFN under the leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Shehu Gusua has adhered to the decision of the former minister of sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung’s for federations to come out with their constitution after they were elected in 2017.
Pepple said in line with the directive the AFN congress meet and did the ratification of its constitution to avoid the use of the Code of Governance which was used in its election in 2017; hence the Sports ministry has no control over its election.
He noted with dismay that despite the Court of Appeal judgment in the AFN matter, the minister was still going ahead to see how he can turn the table which the congress will resist.
He also said it was quite unfortunate why the ministry do not obey court orders as it relates to elections in the federation and Nigerians are not asking questions for sports to move forward in the country.
The Director General however noted that what is paramount in the mind of the Gusua led board is how Nigeria athletes will excel in the Olympic Games and other international meets.
This, he said they will continue to do for the good of the athletes and the country.
