Ernest Osogbue
There are indications that Bukola Olopade, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, is one of those working behind the scenes to have Victor Okorie contest the AFN zonal election as the Southeast representative of the Athletics body. Olympic gold medalist Clement Chukwu had last month written a petition providing evidence that Okorie had, sometimes ago in the United States, been declared bankrupt by a court of competent jurisdiction. A situation according to the rules that renders him ineligible for election. Information available to kjnnetwork.com is that rather than insist on the rules being followed, NSC DG, Bukola Olopade has insisted that Okorie must stand for election.
On the list of qualified candidates released by the AFN electoral committee yesterday, Okorie’s name sits prominently at number one for the southeast contestants, despite overwhelming evidence that he is ineligible. Earlier, AFN president Tonobok Okowa had dismissed Chukwu’s petition as being of no consequence, in a clear display of arrogance.
Clement Chukwu and other stakeholders who are calling for the rules to be applied have vowed to fight to any length to ensure that illegality does not prevail, as they insist on the cleansing of the athletics body.
There’s a palpable feeling of disappointment that officials who should ensure that rules and procedures are followed, turn around to encourage rule breaking. What has emerged, however, is that cronyism and paddy paddy have been elevated above the rules, a clear violation of the AFN Constitution and election guidelines.
As the drama unfolds, kjnnetwork.com is watching and will keep Nigerians posted.
