AFN suspends Gusau, names George acting president
Tcrisis in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) took a dramatic turn yesterday in Abuja when the federation’s president, Shehu Gusau, was suspended by members of the board, who elected his former vice, Olamide George, as the acting president.
At the oft-postponed AFN board meeting, which held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja yesterday, eight members of the board passed a vote of no confidence on Gusau and asked him to step aside to allow them room to investigate the infractions he allegedly committed.
The board set up a five-man committee to investigate Gusau’s sins.
In a communiqué made available to the media after the board meeting, the members frowned at Gusau’s refusal to pay athletes, coaches and other officials’ allowances, alleging also that Gusau violated the
AFN’S constitution by usurping the powers and functions of the Secretary General.
Among the charges, the members alleged that Gusau changed the federation’s email password, thereby denying the secretary access to the facility and rendering him unable to perform his duties since April 2019.
The board also alleged that Gusau signed an agreement with sports wear manufacturer, PUMA without documentation. According to them, the suspended AFN boss signed the deal without the knowledge and signature of the secretary general, who was supposed to be the custodian of all AFN documents.
The board after the meeting also announced Brown Ebewele as the new Technical Director of the federation, while Mr. Okon Gabriel became the new Performance Director.
• Erico worried over Super Eagles’ future
GRohr’s reign as Super Eagles manager could end before his contract expires in June next year, according to sources at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The Nigeria coach has in the past week hired a lawyer to sort out issues bordering on his wages and contract with the NFF, as well as restrictions allegedly placed on him by some top members of the Federation.
Recently, reports emerged that Rohr was secretly negotiating with other countries with a view to switching camps, but some NFF officials dismissed the stories.
Yesterday, Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye said there was no problem between the NFF and Rohr as speculated in the media. “Rohr does not have any issue with the federation. I don’t think Rohr hiring a lawyer to assist him negotiate his dealings with NFF so that he can focus on the Super Eagles job is an issue. “Also, the NFF issuing querying him does not affect their relationship. An employer can query his worker at any point, but that does not stop them from working together.
“Rohr has done well with the Super Eagles and I believe he will like to continue handling the team,” Ibitoye said, while accusing the media of overblowing the issue.
The Guardian gathered that the Super Eagles coach would be in Nigeria next month for what a source described as a showdown talk with the NFF.
Worried by the implication of the any impasse between Rohr and the NFF on the Super Eagles, former national team goalkeeper, Joe Erico said the relationship between the NFF and Super Eagles coaches over the years has in a way affected the performance of the team. “I think Rohr is tired of the manipulation he has been facing with the NFF. This is why I think he is speaking out. Issues like this with coaches have been coming up over the years with different NFF boards.
“When Nigerian coaches that handled the Super Eagles in the past were sacked, did any body ask questions? I will not be surprised if they don’t renew Rohr’s contract.
“Since he has started talking they might declare his position vacant next year and employ another person that is ready to submit to whatever they say.