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Sacked Sports Federation Board Members Tackle Dare Over Dissolution, Mull Legal Action
The recent dissolution of the Sports Federations by the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare has generated some level of discord from the various groups affected by the decision.
Recall that on April 30, Dare announced the dissolution of the boards of 31 National Olympic Sports Federations few weeks before the commencement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games scheduled to hold this summer. A few of the affected members who spoke with Thepledge stated that such action will affect the chances of Team Nigeria to win medals at the Olympic Games.
The minister, via a press statement, explained that the move is in line with the Olympic Charter, which stipulates a four-year tenure for all Sports Federations Boards.
The minister said having consulted with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), the ministry has concluded to organize elections into the Federations using the Code of Governance which is the administrative machinery that regulates the governance of Sports Federations in Nigeria. The code is the administrative machinery that regulates the governance of sports federations in Nigeria.
It was initially thought that both parties, that is, the Sports minister and other sports federations have collectively agreed to Dare’s announcement, in order to allow peace reign. The board members restated that sports caretaker committees can never be allowed to replace duly elected boards whose tenures are yet to expire.
But the dissolution of the boards seems not to have gone down well with some board members, who claimed that their tenure had not expired.
“Our tenure has not expired as claimed by the sports minister, a board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) said.
“I agree that election into the various boards was conducted in June 2017, but our inauguration took place in July. You don’t celebrate the birthday of a child based on the number of days he stayed in his mother’s womb, but the day he was born. I don’t know how the sports minister arrived at that calculation.
“We became board members on the day we were inaugurated into the various boards. And we are not even in the month of June yet, not to talk of July. What I am saying is that our tenure as board members has not expired. Don’t be surprised to see some people heading to court to challenge this decision. I don’t know why he is in a hurry. And this may affect Team Nigeria chances of winning medals at the Tokyo Olympic Games. This is not what Nigerians crave for and I hope they understand the implications of their decision.”
“What will happen to the recent order by the World Athletics (WA) that the AFN must hold a congress and conduct the election on or before June 14? There are many questions arising from this step taken by the sports minister.”
Some other members of the Federation queried the decision of the Sports Minister as they claim that they are not duly treated well by him.
Delegates from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states were in attendance, as key highlights included speeches by Governors Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), who all praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, particularly commending him for supporting a northerner’s eight-year presidency.
The three governors collectively endorsed Tinubu for a second term, urging the north to return the favour in 2027.
However, tensions escalated shortly after APC North-East Vice Chairman, Mustapha Salihu, ended his speech by naming Tinubu as the sole candidate for the next election, without mentioning Vice President Kashim Shettima.
This apparent omission triggered protests from some members, who insisted that the vice president be included in the endorsement.
An attempt by Zulum to calm the situation did little to ease the rising tempers. The commotion intensified until security operatives intervened to restore order.
The party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, later addressed the crowd, separately praising both Tinubu and Shettima, which helped ease the tension.
On May 22, 2025, 22 APC governors unanimously adopted Tinubu as the APC candidate for the 2027 election. The governors also did not mention the vice president during the endorsement.
But Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, distanced himself from the endorsement of Tinubu for a second term in office.
He said he pitied Tinubu. According to him, former President Goodluck Jonathan secured the endorsement of 22 governors of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2015 poll, yet he lost his re-election bid to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku, in a statement posted on his X account, said the killings underscored the escalating insecurity crisis facing Nigeria.
“I am deeply anguished and shocked by the devastating news of the fresh attacks in Benue State, where over 100 innocent lives are feared lost. These killings, once again targeting defenceless communities, underscore the escalating insecurity crisis facing our nation,” he stated on Saturday night.
The former vice president said the sorrow felt by those orphaned, displaced, and widowed by the attackers could not be adequately expressed in words.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities who have suffered unimaginable loss. As a nation, we must pause and reflect on the mounting human toll of this senseless violence.
“I urge the Federal Government and Benue State authorities to launch a prompt, transparent investigation into the attack. The identities of the perpetrators must be swiftly uncovered and justice served.
“Enhance security presence in the region, deploying necessary resources, personnel, equipment, and intelligence to guarantee the protection of vulnerable rural areas,” he said.
He also called for an engagement with affected communities through dialogue, traditional leadership, and civil society to restore confidence and foster resilience.
According to him compensation and support efforts, including medical aid, trauma counselling, and livelihood restoration should be accelerated for survivors and bereaved families.
Atiku added, “This assault on innocent Nigerians is not just a local tragedy, it is a national emergency that demands immediate attention and decisive action. I call on all Nigerians regardless of tribe or religion to unite in condemning this atrocity.
“We must hold our leaders accountable and insist on sustainable solutions to the violent tragedies claiming lives across the country. May God comfort the grieving families, heal our nation, and help us reclaim peace and security for all.”
Tinubu saluted Abubakar for his decades of exceptional service to Nigeria, both in uniform and in retirement.
He also commended his steadfast commitment to peace, stability, and good governance across the African continent.
“General Abubakar’s legacy, particularly his role in leading Nigeria through a peaceful transition to democratic rule in 1999, remains a watershed moment in the nation’s history.
“His selfless act of handing over power paved the way for Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and strengthened the principle of constitutional democracy,” the President said in a statement on Sunday.
He said that as Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abubakar had continued to play a significant role in promoting dialogue, defusing tension, and ensuring credible electoral processes in Nigeria.
He said the former Head of State’s voice of moderation, reason, and statesmanship was deeply valued in a time where unity and leadership are more critical than ever.
“He is a patriot of uncommon integrity whose service inspires generations of Nigerians in public life.
“As he marks another year of life, Nigeria honours his sacrifices, wisdom, and unyielding devotion to the peace and unity of our great nation.
“I wish the former Head of State continued strength, good health, and divine grace in the years ahead,” the statement added.
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