12-6-2025
After two deadlocked elections for who represents coaches and technical officials on the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Prof Lucas Ogunjimi has thrown in the towel, endorsing his opponent Solomon Aliyu to take up the slot.
The elections were rescheduled for Wednesday in Abuja, but it did not hold because there were no technical officials on ground, it was then shifted to Thursday morning 8.00am, still there wasn’t any sign Prof. Ogunjimi and his supporters will show up.
Finally, it was moved to Saturday to enable all parties prepare.
However, in a statement on Thursday evening Prof Ogunjimi hinted that he is dropping off the race after consultation with other Nigeria Association of Athletics Technical officials.
“The election for the ACAN/NAATO representative on the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria is not a do or die affair.
“We have therefore with all sincerity resolved to allow ACAN to take and occupy the AFN technical rep at this point in time in the incoming board. Believing that this will go a long way to help faclitate unity of purpose and smooth running of the federation,” said the statement signed by Ogunjimi.
Speaking on the development, Aliyu who is the president of the Athletics Coaches Association of Nigerian president said it was a welcome development praising the magnanimity of Prof. Ogunjimi.
“I’m quite relieved that this seemingly tortious journey has come to end. I’m glad about the decision of Prof. Ogunjimi to step down. NAATO is a sister body to ACAN, we are all working towards achieving the same goals for Nigerian athletics.”
NAATO has for three consecutive board tenures occupied the slot.