In a dramatic turn of events, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Congress has moved to put the 2023 Constitution on hold, effectively re-opening the door for key figures within the Federation to seek re-election.
This decision, reached last month at a Congress meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, has cast aside a major hurdle introduced in the new constitution, which had placed a three-term limit on members of the Federation’s Executive Board.
This move also opens the way for individuals like Ibrahim Gusau, Tafida Gadzama, and Omatseye Nesiama—who had previously been restricted by the amendments made in early 2023—to once again vie for positions on the board.
The Congress, the highest decision-making body in the AFN, expressed grave concern over the current state of the Federation’s constitutional documents.
A report presented by the Federation’s Legal Adviser, Barr. Edokpayi Dele (SAN), revealed that the amendments made to the 2017 Constitution, which were carried out in 2023, were not properly documented.
Critical documents, such as the minutes from meetings where these amendments were approved, and the official letter transmitting these changes to relevant authorities, were missing.
In the absence of these key records, the Congress felt the need to put the new constitution on hold and allow the Constitution Review Committee more time to authenticate the documents.
“The lack of proper record-keeping within the Federation is concerning,” the Congress communique stated.
It went on to note that this has led to multiple versions of the Constitution being circulated, which has added to the confusion and uncertainty within the Federation’s leadership.
The decision to suspend the implementation of the 2023 Constitution and give the Constitution Review Committee additional time has also made it clear that the previous restrictions on term limits are no longer in place.
Under the 2017 Constitution, there had been no such limitations, meaning that former AFN President Ibrahim Gusau, outgoing First Vice President Tafida Gadzama, and member of the outgoing board Omatseye Nesiama are now free to seek re-election.
In a final resolution, the Congress called for further investigation into the missing documents and directed the Constitution Review Committee to ensure that all relevant materials are authenticated before presenting a final report at the next Congress meeting.
This decision has far-reaching implications for the governance of athletics in Nigeria, and it remains to be seen how it will impact the future leadership structure of the AFN.
