Leaders of Nigeria’s Judo and Gymnastics Federations have called on President Bola Tinubu to address interference by the National Sports Commission (NSC) in their elections.
Dr. Musa Oshodi and Kelvin Erhunmwunse raised these concerns during a meeting with journalists in Abuja, accusing NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade of overstepping his authority.
NSC’s Role in Federation Elections Sparks Debate
Dr. Oshodi expressed worry about Nigerian sports. “The NSC’s meddling in our elections is alarming,” he said. “It threatens the progress of our sports. Federations should operate independently.” He urged President Tinubu to act quickly to protect Nigerian sports.
Kelvin Erhunmwunse agreed, calling the NSC’s actions disruptive. “This interference creates confusion,” he said. “The President’s plan for an independent Sports Commission is great, but the current leadership undermines our authority.”
Recent NSC Actions Fuel Controversy
The NSC has intervened in several federation elections. In August, it paused the Nigeria Boxing Federation’s elections due to a tight schedule.
Candidates had less than two days to submit forms and prepare. Olopade explained, “We advised changes to ensure fairness and give candidates enough time.” The boxing elections were delayed by three weeks.
The Judo Federation faced similar issues. In August, the NSC flagged problems with its election rules, such as unclear candidate eligibility. It ordered a meeting to fix these before elections could proceed.
In September, the NSC canceled elections for the Judo, Gymnastics, and Shooting Federations. The NSC said these elections ignored Ministry guidelines and lacked fair representation.
New elections were set for October 18 in Abuja, with zonal polls required first. Olopade stressed, “All groups must be included in federation leadership. This is non-negotiable.”
Federation Leaders Demand Autonomy
The federation leaders argue that NSC’s actions violate their independence, which global sports bodies expect.
“This interference could hurt Nigeria’s reputation in international sports,” Oshodi warned. They believe such moves threaten the growth of Nigerian sports.
With elections looming on October 18, the tension between the NSC and federations grows. The call for presidential action highlights the need to balance oversight with federation autonomy.
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