By Ben Efe 11-6-2025
All the pieces of the puzzle have fallen in place for Athletics Federation of Nigeria executive board elections and from all indications it’s seems like a walkover for incumbent president Tonobok Okowa.
He is the last candidate standing for the AFN top chair in the high stakes politicking that have set the stage for the grand finale in Abuja. For stakeholders that is where the politics should stop, and real healing and redemption should begin for Nigerian athletics.
Unless there’s a twist of fate in the elections billed for Thursday Okowa is expected win a second term in office in a Federation that has faced scrutiny, hopped into bed with controversy and covered up with a blanket of mistrust. Athletics stakeholders are looking forward to a new era of cooperation and a dawn of professionalism.
“It’s not going to be trial by error; the new board of the AFN must put the right foot forward.
“Anybody can be president all that matters is cooperation and playing by the rules,” said former triple jumper Olu Sule.
He is one of the many Nigerian ex-athletes who have come forward determined to rewrite the narratives at the AFN.
“It’s win for Nigerian athletics… it’s time to work for the athletes and coaches,” stated former 400m runner Fatima Yusuf.
It would be interesting to see how Okowa if he emerges president will steer the ship in the right direction. He is a simple man who likes to listen a lot, and perhaps the egg head former internationals on the board will be on the same page at any given time.
Ahead of the elections National Sports Commission director-general Hon. Bukola Olopade made it clear athletics is a doyen sport that must get it right.
“Athletics is one of our major sports, and it is therefore very important to get it right with the election processes because that will be the foundation of everything that will be achieved in the next four years,” he stated.
“The success of the Commission is tied to how well our federations perform, as it is through them that we are implementing the Renewed Hope Sports Mandate that Mr. President has entrusted to us. The AFN is one federation we cannot afford toy with.”