Jigawa Athletics Association chairman , Mohammed Adamu has poured cold water on claims by his Gombe counterpart, Shuaib Ahmed Gara Gombe, that the AFN Congress may move against the Athletics Federation of Nigeria president, Chief Tonobok Okowa.
The claim is the latest effort by some dissatisfied members orchestrated by an individual who was forced on the board by former Sports Minister Sunday Dare.
Gara Gombe was quoted by an online publication, Sportsnow.com.ng, that about 15 members of the congress met in Kaduna over the weekend and have scheduled another meeting for Akure, Ondo State, in the coming weeks.
However, Mr. Adamu said the Jigawa State Athletics Association, was not aware of any such meeting.
“I am the Chairman of Jigawa Athletics Association and the Chairman of all Chairmen in charge of athletics in northern Nigeria. I can tell you that no meeting of such took place in Kaduna. There is no way a meeting concerning athletics will hold in the North without my consent. All they said are pure lies,” Adamu said.
It was alleged that the author of the story decided to blackmail AFN president after his failed attempt to obtain from Okowa the sum of N6m, under the guise of setting up social media accounts for the federation.
“These are just disgruntled individuals trying to create crisis when there is none,” said a member of the AFN.
“We are focused on preparing our athletics for the African Games next month and the Olympics later in July.
‘These people are not happy we are moving the AFN forward despite the challenges.
“Our trials in Asaba was very successful and the athletes gave us hope that we are going to do well. We will not be distracted by an individual who is known to have fought any AFN president who does not pander to his wishes.”
