Archery Federation: Stakeholders Condemn ‘Kangaroo’ Selection That Produced Baba Abdullahi As New Board President

*Petition World Archery

Stakeholders of Nigeria Archery have condemned the election that saw the re-election of Mohammed Baba Abdullahi as the President of Nigeria Archery Federation.

The election held on 8 March in Abuja saw Abdullahi re-elected as the President with 16 votes against his opponent, Mr. Emmanuel Oyeleke who had only 1 vote, while Engr. Augustine Chigbolu emerged as the 1st Vice President with 16 votes to beat Mr. Kachollom Enyenihi who scored only 1 vote.

The stakeholders, rising from a crucial meeting at the end of Zen Archery Lagos Open Championship finals at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos faulted the election, describing it as a ‘kangaroo’.

The stakeholders unanimously voiced out their resentment on the poll, adding that the election failed to conform to any laid down regulations and rules of the archery federation in Nigeria.

To this end, the stakeholders have petitioned the World Archery and World Archery Africa.

According to the stakeholders, who cut across state associations and clubs around the country, they pointed out some serious lapses observed in the election that won’t make it be allowed to stay. These include:
1. None of the supposed newly elected executive members are eligible to contest as they are not in any known association or club in Nigeria. It is stated in Section B of the Nomination Form that every candidate must be nominated by his or her state archery board or club owner where there is no association. There should be the signature of the association/club chairman and secretary on the form. None of the new executive members meet this simple guideline.
2. The President just handpicked his friends and put them in various positions as the forms were ordinarily filled and signed while some ignored Section B.
3. Mr Kunle Akintimehin who was a member of the five-man electoral committee was not invited to any meeting before, during or after the kangaroo election
4. The association/club delegates were not known as all association and club leaders were in Lagos for the championship
5. The zonal representatives were handpicked by the president as all of them are not stakeholders. The southwest representative is not known by all the stakeholders in the zone.
6. The new acclaimed secretary General, Phillip Ayodele Oluponmile, is from Oyo State and we assure you that no archery association or club is in Oyo State.

“Given all these and many other anomalies, the stakeholders have concluded to take appropriate steps in due course because Abdullahi is blocking our way. He wants to become the Lord over Archery in Nigeria.”

The stakeholders include Alhaji. S. Shobayo, Chairman Ogun State Archery Association, Idris Oguntayo, Ogun State Archery Coach, Boluji Olatunji, Coordinator Royal Academy, Abeokuta, Dr. Mike Egbayelo,Vice Chairman Lagos State Archery Association, Kunle Akintimehin, Coordinator, Lagos State Archery Association and Oladele Taiwo, Secretary, Lagos State Archery Association.

Others are Emmanuel Oyeleke, Chairman, Zen Archery Club, Lagos, Ladi Alapini, Chairman Lekki Archers Club, M.N Tantur, Coach Plateau State Archery Association, Aliyu Abubakar, Arch Club, Abuja, Seun Ogunlana, Arch Club, Abuja, Chief Ugo Asibelua, Chairman Delta State Archery Association and a host of others.