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Gymnastics Leadership Crisis: Stakeholders Insist on Transparent and Inclusive Election
The outgoing President of the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN) had earlier conducted an election which was later nullified by the National Sports Commission (NSC) for failing to meet the required legal standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has promised to address and resolve the leadership crisis currently engulfing the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria.
This follows renewed calls by one of the chairmanship candidates, Alhaja Kafilat Olalere, who insisted on a transparent and all-inclusive election to choose the executives of the federation.
The NSC had fixed dates for fresh elections on two different occasions, but both attempts failed to materialize. This left many delegates—who had converged on Abuja over the weekend to participate in elections into various sporting federations—bewildered and dissatisfied.
Speaking during the elections of other federations under the NSC, held in Abuja, Olopade said he would meet with the two key contenders in the GFN to resolve the crisis.
However, Olalere, who is contesting for the GFN presidency against Kelvin Erunmwase, maintained that the only way to resolve the impasse is to proceed with an election.
She emphasized that only a properly conducted election—one that allows all stakeholders to participate—would be acceptable to her.
Olalere told journalists that elections into other federations had been encouraging and peaceful.
She said:
“We are just not happy that our federation’s election did not hold. That is, the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria. We received correspondence from the Sports Commission that there would be an election on the 25th.
Every delegate who was elected and expected to vote is here. Everybody came from across the nation, only to be told that there would be no election.
But we have not been informed as to why the election is not going to hold. Hopefully, before the end of the entire election process, we will get feedback on when it will be conducted. People have come in from every state of the federation to participate, so we are still waiting. The election is still very much in process—the day is still young.”
Responding to the DG’s promise to resolve the crisis through dialogue between the two candidates, Olalere said:
“No, it has to be an election. We’ve had enough round tables and back-and-forths. The only thing that will resolve this issue once and for all is an election.
Yes, there was a round table meeting before now, but it was inconclusive. If a proposition is made and one party still disagrees, then we must go to the polls.
The election is what determines who wins and who loses. We just want everything to be transparent. We want an election, not a selection.
Stakeholders want to participate in choosing who leads them for the next four years. Disenfranchising any group will not sit well with the gymnastics community.
We need peace and harmony in the next administration, and the only way to achieve that is to allow people to exercise their constitutional right to vote for their preferred candidate.”
Other stakeholders of the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria echoed the same position, stressing that an election is the only way out of the current logjam.
Dr. Ajibola Samson of the Nigeria Association for Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sports, and Dance (NAPHER-SD) emphasized that the process must be inclusive, with no group under the federation left out.
Similarly, Richard Jatau (North East Representative), John Abiodun Oyewuwo (South West Representative), and Dr. Oladipo Samuel, a stakeholder from Ekiti, expressed disappointment that the GFN election did not hold as scheduled on Saturday.
Security presence surged around the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday as operatives from multiple agencies were deployed ahead of the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged corruption-related offences.
By about 7:00 a.m., heavily armed personnel of the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had taken positions at strategic locations leading to the court complex situated within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area.
Access roads to the venue witnessed restrictions, forcing vehicles into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo and triggering early morning gridlock.
The heavy security followed a prior notice by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission that it would arraign El-Rufai on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission said the former governor would be docked alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.
The agency explained that the charges against the defendants include alleged conversion, unlawful possession of public property, and money laundering.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is set to arraign the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, and one Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The charges range from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering,” the statement read.
It further disclosed that another case, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, had been instituted against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule before a Kaduna State High Court.
According to the commission, the state charges border on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
“Similarly, another charge against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule has been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division. The charges range from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage, among others,” the statement added.
The ICPC said both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that a date for arraignment in the state court would be announced later.
It also insisted that El-Rufai had been properly served, stressing its adherence to due process and the rule of law.
The development came amid growing pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which called for his immediate release or arraignment, describing his continued detention without formal charges as unconstitutional.
In the same vein, the Muslim Rights Concern criticised his prolonged detention, while members of his family also alleged a breach of his fundamental rights.
El-Rufai was first arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, granted bail two days later, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC.
He has remained in the custody of the anti-graft agency since then, pending his arraignment.
Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe on the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
In a statement to mark the end of Ramadan, Araraume highlighted the significance of the month long period of spiritual reflection, fasting, and devotion. “As Muslims gather with loved ones to share in the festivities, I join in the cheer, wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Eid,” he said.
The Senator expressed profound appreciation to Muslim Nigerians for their contributions to the nation’s growth, describing their faith, resilience, and patriotism as beacons of hope. “Your unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress is truly commendable,” he stated.
As the country navigates its current challenges, Araraume called for unity, understanding, and collective effort. “Let us embrace the spirit of Eid, forgiveness, generosity, and kindness, to build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come,” he urged.
Araraume also extended solidarity to President Bola Tinubu, a distinguished Muslim and the leader of APC, praising his visionary leadership and dedication to nation building. “President Tinubu’s commitment to serving Nigeria has been exemplary, and we assure him of our continued support,” he said.
Reaffirming the APC’s commitment to national prosperity, Araraume emphasized that the values of compassion, unity, and progress embodied by Eid align deeply with the party’s ethos. “As we mark this occasion, we reaffirm our dedication to creating a Nigeria where faith and ethnic background are not barriers to success,” he concluded.
President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a high-level bilateral engagement aimed at strengthening ties between Nigeria and Britain.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, said the meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The statement said the meeting reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations, attracting foreign investment, and modernising key infrastructure to support economic growth.
It added that a major highlight of the visit was the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
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The statement said the deal will fund the refurbishment of two key maritime infrastructures — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President and the First Lady had earlier been the guests of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
Tinubu was accompanied by a high-profile delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Other members of the delegation include Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
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