Gara Gombe Calls for Suspension of AFN Elections Over Alleged Irregularities

Veteran sports administrator and Chairman of Gombe State Athletics Association, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has called for the immediate suspension of the ongoing elections into the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), citing widespread irregularities and lack of transparency.

Gara Gombe, a former adviser on sports to the governors of both Kano and Gombe States and ex-chairman of Gombe United FC, made the call on Saturday in a statement issued to journalists.

According to him, the current electoral process is fundamentally flawed due to the absence of a certified and endorsed AFN constitution, exclusion of key stakeholders, and attempts to suppress legal challenges to the outcome of the election.

"I am a member of the AFN Congress, and I can confirm that no constitution has ever been adopted in any congress I have attended. The so-called Anambra 2017 and Abuja 2023 constitutions are shrouded in doubts regarding their legitimacy," he stated.

He further explained that efforts to harmonize the AFN constitution in Abuja after two separate congresses were inconclusive, leaving the federation without a unified, legally binding document.

Gara Gombe also accused the AFN of procedural violations in convening congresses in Asaba, Bayelsa, as well as in the arrangements for the elections scheduled for May, describing them as unconstitutional and lacking due process.

He expressed concern over the conditions attached to nomination forms for board aspirants, especially a clause barring candidates from challenging election results in court.

"This is undemocratic and legally questionable. It violates the rights of aspirants and undermines the credibility of the entire process," he added.

Citing a recent administrative blunder where Nigerian athletes missed the World Relays in China due to lapses in visa application delays, Gara Gombe blamed administrative inefficiency and called for a complete overhaul of the AFN’s leadership structure.

Recommendations

He proposed the following:

1. Suspension of the ongoing AFN elections.

2. Appointment of a neutral caretaker committee to run the affairs of the federation for six months.

3. Facilitation of a transparent constitutional adoption process.

4. Reconstitution of a legitimate congress and electoral committee as stipulated by the (yet-to-be-validated) constitution.

Gara Gombe warned that proceeding with the current electoral arrangement would only worsen the credibility crisis in Nigerian sports and make it impossible for newly elected officials to function effectively.

"What we need is not just a change of name from Ministry to Commission, but a complete mindset shift. Sports reform must begin with transparency and accountability," he concluded.

Gara Gombe dares Nilayo Sports Management over defamation claim

Renowned Sports entrepreneur, Administrator Hon. Shuaibu Ahmed Gara Gombe says his message on his Facebook page handle was not to defame Bukola Olopade and Nilayo Sports Management Limited in any way.

Instead, it was just to tell the company to go and answer before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), the petition he wrote about the alleged diversion of sponsorship fees by Olopade and Nilayo Management Ltd meant for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN.

Nilayo Sports Management Company Limited, organizers of the annual Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, had threatened to drag Alhaji Gara Gombe to court for alleged defamation.

The company, until recently owned by Bukola Olawale Olopade, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), alleged that Alhaji Gara Gombe, who is also the Chairman of Gombe Athletics Association, made defamatory statements against the company in a Live Facebook video.

"The allegations you published meant and were understood to mean that our client is fraudulent, conspires to commit fraud, dishonest and guilty of all allegations,' wrote Nilayo Sports Management company's lawyer to Alhaji Gara Gombe.

Nilayo Sports Management Ltd is consultant to the AFN and brokered the deal between the Federation and Premium Trust Bank.

In response to the letter from Nilayo Sports Management Ltd's lawyer, a defiant Alhaji Gara Gombe insists he has only asked the company to go an answer to his petition before the EFCC after Olopade failed twice to report to the invitations of the anti-graft agency.

Sometimes last year, Alhaji Gara Gombe says he petitioned the EFCC citing unwholesome practices in the execution of the agreement.

In the petition, he asked the EFCC to probe Olopade (who brokered the deal at the time) and Nilayo Sports Management Ltd to reveal the bank account used to warehouse the sponsorship fees of N100 million naira paid, especially, for the first year of sponsorship following an AFN Audit Committee report and admission by the former Secretary General of the AFN, Ms Rita Mosindi that the money was not paid into an SPV account specifically mentioned in the agreement.

'Article 4, sub-section 4.4 of the contract was specific on this and it says thus: During the performance of this Agreement, an SPV account must be opened with Broker (Nilayo) and AFN as 

signatories.'

Alhaji Gara Gombe also wrote in the petition that EFCC should look at how the money was disbursed, including how the broker, Nilayo Sports Management Ltd was paid its commission of N30 million naira, being 30% of the contract sum per year.

'Olopade and Nilayo Sports Management company should also explain why the N30m commission out of the yearly N100m sponsorship fee was removed before releasing N70m to an account other than the one the agreement insisted the money must be paid into,' says Alhaji Gara Gombe, saying the payment did not follow the terms of the agreement.

'Article 4.11 of the agreement is also clear on how the broker should be paid,' says Alhaji Gara Gombe.

 

The article says thus: 'During the performance of this Agreement, the Sponsor (Premium Trust Bank) has no financial obligation to Broker. The Broker shall be entitled to a yearly fee/commission which shall be paid through the SPV account to the tune of agreed percentage between AFN and the broker (Nilayo).

Alhaji Gara Gombe also revealed that article 5.1 of the agreement also specified, in clear terms, who should pay the money.

'It shall be the responsibility of the AFN to pay the broker’s fee/commission stated in the preceding paragraph.'

'These are clarifications Olopade and Nilayo are expected to make at the EFCC and that is what I have asked them to do. I never categorically said they have diverted any fund. Let them just explain why the terms of the agreement were not followed in this case and let the EFCC decide whether it is right to violate terms of agreement, especially when it bothers on money,' added Alhaji Gara Gombe. 

Alhaji Gara Gombe says it is the duty of Olopade and Nilayo to ensure the term of the agreement between Premium Trust Bank and the AFN were not violated at any point during the pendency of the agreement. 

'Article 4, sub-section 4.1 of the agreement titled: Guarantees and commitments is clear on this and it reads inter-alia:

 

'The Broker hereby guarantees to ensure that: During the performance of this Agreement, the broker must, at any time, ensure adherence of parties to the terms, conditions and obligations under this agreement and ensure compliance with relevant rules, regulations

GDSS Bolari East Hail Gara Gombe, Set To Appreciate Athletes For Medals Won

Government Day Secondary School Bolari East, Army Barracks Gombe has organized a grand reception in honor of their athletes who participated at the just ended Gombe State Inter Secondary Schools Athletics and Principals' Cup Football Competition. 

The well attended ceremony which took place on Monday 3rd February, 2025 at the assembly ground had in attendance the Principal, Vice Principals (Admin and Academics), Chairman, Parents Teachers Association (PTA) senior master and mistress and other staff members.

The Principal, Mr, Habibullah Salihu congratulated the medalists for their exceptional talents.

"Let me use this medium to congratulate our medalists who have shown their exceptional talents and won so many medals, this has not just developed you but has also promoted the school, kudos to your performance. 

"We are going to organize a grand reception for the medalists in the coming week to celebrate them more as our school ambassadors" .

He also commended the Chairman/CEO Green White Green Sports Center Ltd Hon Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe who sponsored the competition. 

He also commended the efforts of the school games masters and other officials who worked to ensure the success of the athletes.

Medals and certificates won by the athletes were symbolically presented to them by members of staff.

GDSS Bolari East emerged 3rd overall best school in athletics and produced the best female athlete in the competition.

Except Corruption is Stopped, Name Changing, Officials Recycling Can't Grow Sports in Nigeria--Gombe

Chairman Gombe State Athletics Association Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe was granted interview where he discussed many topics on why sports ministry was scrapped and replaced with 

National Sports Commission (NSC).

 

Fielding questions on AriseTV, recently, Gombe also discussed other topics such as the iligality of NSC art..Corporate business World not in Nigeria sports, Ese Brume training grant saga and Adopt a talent Project. 

Let's walk you through the interview. On the scrapping the Sports Ministry,

 "My position about the creation of NSC in the last 48 years is that, we have been changing names moving from Ministry of Sports to NSC, changing nomenclature back and forth. 

At some point it was ministry of education information, culture and sports in the last 48 years.

That brings the question, what do we went to do with sports in Nigeria, are we ready to develop sports in this country, if we are ready, it doesn't come by changing names.

Whenever there's a failure we remember, let's change to Sports Commission, Anytime there's failure again, we say put sports under Sports Ministry.

The matter is not by charging names, the real issue about sports in Nigeria is squarely Corruption. Change names one million times we still go back to were we are years back.

Appoint people with integrity, transparency, appoint people without a bad past. But when government keep recycling people that lack meaningful track record, integrity and good governance, we shall keep roaming in a circle and nothing will be achieved".

Talking about NSC, the question is, when was the act signed?

There's an ongoing debate on whether the NSC act is legal or not.

The former Chairman of Sports in the Senate Obinna Ogba was the one who spearheaded the act. And far as I am concerned, the NSC act was the worst ever seen, because the content was wrong, fraudulent and was designed to bring back friends and relatives.the documents is totally faulty and need to be reworked."

"I remember in 2021 the National Assembly transmitted the bill to Mr. President Buhari for his ascent.

The President didn't give his ascent, and you know when such happenes, the Senate retrieves the bill and approves it after number of weeks.

But president Buhari later signed the NSC act on the 25 the of May 2023, four days before his exit from office. After signing the bill some people took it and hid it inside their drawer without formal announcement.

When did they bring back the NSC act, after the Sports Ministry has failed?

Someone should be held responsible

On Ese Brume, "Training grants to Ese Brume was not planned but, NSC waited for Brume to get accident before giving her training grant. Secondly, training grant to Brume is not a favour but her right. Have NSC given other AthIetes?

Now, sports all over the world is driven by Corporate Business Entities. Check, only in Nigeria you have government pumping money into sports and have people stealing it without accountability and government does nothing about it.

"In the history of Nigeria, No President had pumped money into sports like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did. Where did he get the money having gone borrowing, raising taxes bills which means, the president means well for Nigerian Sports.

President Tinubu released N24 billion to sports in one year. Where are those who managed it? Some of them were assigned to other ministry to go and hide while others are roaming the street enjoying their loot.

So, we have to show accountability, transparency and good governance.

No corporate body would put money into Nigerian Sports, the Shehu Dikko who is talking went to the Nigeria Stock exchange to do the symbolic Ringing of Bell with Amaju Pinnic promising heaven on earth to the Nigeria sports and later, they disappeared, which means there's a trust deficit in Nigeria Sports.

Mobil was sponsoring AthIetics, Coca-cola sponsored Tennis. Glo, MTN doing sports business in Nigeria, no one is asking why is Super Sports no longer in sports in Nigeria?

These corporate bodies pulled out because no accountability.

In Nigeria today, no one has been taken to prison for stealing money in sports.

Adopt a talent project was not the creation of Sunday Dare, it was the creation of late journalist Jide Fashikun during Solomon Dalung tenure as Sports Minister

For 25 years in sports, I have been a lone voice and nobody would stop me. I will keep exposing bad past, incompetence and bad governance", 

said Gara- Gombe

My Silence On Nigeria Sports Deliberate - Gara Gombe

Sports entrepreneur and former Gombe United FC Chairman Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe has said only administrators with skeletons in sports can afford to bar stakeholders from expressing their views on sports development in Nigeria.

In a chat with journalists recently, Gara-Gombe noted that on several occasions he has been barred from expressing his views over major development and appointment in Nigeria sports in Radio and Television Stations in Nigeria.

"All sports stakeholders and those who appreciates my modest contributions in Nigeria sports, especially trying to always put sports administrators and managers on their toes"

I advise them not to worry as many people have been calling me, sending messages to my friends and close associates asking why I have been quiet about the reintroduction of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the managers."

The Chairman Gombe State Athletics Association also reacted to rumours that he had pulled out of sports business and administration 

"There's nothing to worry about as my silence is deliberate, I'm still in sports, people are saying I ve quite sports, I'm not out of sports for now.

Because there's no way I can afford to sleep because certain people who I have differences with about how they managed our sports in the past are now in charge of sports in the country.

The Nigeria Constitution has given me and all of us the right to participate in lawful activities in the country, in this case, including sports.

So, my silence is deliberate, I will talk at the right time."

On his travails with a few Television and Radio stations in Nigeria 

" I would like to say clearly that in the last few weeks, I was barred from featuring on four national television and Radio stations, even a few Newspapers to expressing my opinion and discuss the newly introduced National Sports Commission (NSC) by the federal government.

The disturbing part is that those who blocked me using proxies have no idea of what I want to talk about, I don't know what they are afraid of or why they don't want me to expressing my own right and opinion as guaranteed by law.

I don't see why they should be afraid, 

If they feel comfortable with their past or who they are, why must they go about blocking me?

There was this station, one hour to a scheduled interview, they called me to say my air time (interview) have been paid for.

However, I know about Television production, one can't come two hours to production to tell me my air time has been paid for. 

It doesn't show integrity of the media, however, I don't own a TV or a Radio station, but I own a newspaper and I would continue to raise my voice on issues I feel are in the best interest of the Nigerian public.

The intriguing side of it is that they don't have an idea of what I want to say whether or not it's in their favour.

So , because people that have skeletons never wanted the a biology teacher to handle a topic on anatomy."

He assured all sports stakeholders 

and those who still have confidence and believe on his contribution in sports in Nigeria to remain calm. "I'm very much around, concerned and will pursue swift and talk about credible sports development in Nigeria without fear or favour.

Currently, I am.outside the country, I can also talk from anywhere around the globe, for now, I am.busy to start commenting on issues Nigerians are already aware of, but at the appropriate time, no individual or group can cover the Sun or the moon with two hands

My detractors forgot that the Social media is also available to me to air my views. At the end of the day, the national interest shall prevail. 

Nigeria is bigger and greater than any individual or cabal that wants to hold down Nigerian sports.

Profiteering from it in the last 20 to 25 years must stop" he concluded.

On the Panel set up by the former Minister of Sports John Enoh Gara- Gombe said as far as he is concerned, the 7 man Committee didn't do a good job.

"They left many issues untouched.

They didn't talk about finances and also refused to investigate the AFN on why certain things happened.

I see no reason the panel didn't indict the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) they also refused to indict the former Minister, and Ministry officials in areas concerning how the over N24 billion Olympic funds was managed.

The investigative Committee under Dr. Mumuni Alao is someone.I have deep regards for, honestly, in my opinion they didn't do a good job.

The panel's job was not thorough, there are areas left untouched, they may claim, the issues was not in their terms of reference. However, 

there should be total investigation into all Olympic activities of the Sports Ministry.

There are other federations that have their own share of scandal, I don't know why AFN was the only one targetted in the Panel reports, this is very wrong.

I am aware of a coach who was accredited as Olympic delegate with a fake licence.

This fake licence was discovered in Paris which was a huge embarrassment to Nigeria.

Nobody investigated or mentioned it anywhere.

What about the borrowed bicycle, nothing was done or investigations carried out. It was swept under the carpet.

I still can't reconcile why only AFN was profiled while others got wavers.

I'm not saying those indicted in AFN were innocent, but what about other federation officials?

I am not sure any of the panel members attended the Paris Olympics So, why appoint them? , that is why their job was not thorough as many things got covered up.

The man (Sports Minister) who would have been investigated is now hiding in another ministry, What a terrific abbaration" Gombe said.