- Stakeholders demand transparent, inclusive election
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has pledged to intervene and resolve the ongoing leadership crisis rocking the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN).
Olopade made the promise in Abuja at the weekend during the elections of various sports federations under the NSC, assuring that he would meet with the two leading contenders for the GFN presidency to chart a path forward.
The crisis followed the nullification of an earlier election conducted by the outgoing GFN president for failing to meet legal requirements. Although the NSC subsequently scheduled new election dates twice, both failed to hold, leaving delegates who travelled from across the country frustrated and disappointed.
One of the presidential candidates, Alhaja Kafilat Olalere, insisted that only a transparent, all-inclusive election could resolve the impasse. She is contesting against Kelvin Erunmwase for the federation’s top position.
“We are not happy that our federation’s election did not hold,” Olalere told journalists. “Delegates from all over the country are here, ready to vote, but we were informed that the election won’t take place without any formal explanation. What we want is simple — a fair and transparent election, not selection.”
Reacting to the DG’s proposal for further dialogue, Olalere maintained that “roundtable meetings” had failed to produce results in the past. “The only solution is to go to the polls. Stakeholders want to elect their leaders, not have them imposed. An inclusive, transparent election is the only path to peace and harmony in the federation,” she said.
Other stakeholders echoed her call for elections, stressing the need for fairness and participation by all interest groups within the federation.
Dr. Ajibola Samson of the Nigeria Association for Physical, Health, Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (NAPHER-SD) emphasized that no group should be excluded from the process. Similarly, Richard Jatau (North East Representative), John Abiodun Oyewuwo (South West Representative), and Dr. Oladipo Samuel (Ekiti) expressed disappointment over the postponed polls.
They urged the National Sports Commission to swiftly resolve the crisis and ensure that the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria joins other federations in electing new leadership through a credible and democratic process.
