MITCHEL OBI: You Erred!, Lagos SWAN Tells National Chairman, Sirawo

Mitchel Obi (middle) with members of Lagos SWAN after the congress on 17 February, while Deputy General Secretary of SWAN, Wale Joseph (right) laughs

 

Lagos chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has passed vote of no confidence on the body’s National Chairman/President, Honour Sirawo for withholding nomination of the re-election of Nigeria’s Mitchel Obi to the position of President of AIPS, Africa.

Sirawo was alleged to have mischievously  denied Obi, who is Nigeria’s only representative that qualified to contest for the AIPS Presidency in Africa with the excuse that the veteran sports journalist did not qualify for the position.

Lagos SWAN in an emergency congress on 17 February, after its meeting resolved that Sirawo erred in his decision not to sanction Obi’s nomination as he did unilaterally without carrying other members of the National Executive Committee of SWAN along.

According to the Communiqué drafted by Dapo Sotiminu led Committee and signed by Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Fred Edoreh and Secretary, Emma Njoku, the Congress of  the Lagos Chapter of the association passed a vote of no confidence on the leadership of Mr. Honour Sirawo, as President/Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), for mischievously denying and refusing Mr. Mitchel Obi deserved nomination for re-election to the position of President, AIPS, Africa.

Lagos SWAN affirmed that it is convinced beyond all reasonable doubts, based on all available records, by credentials and track record of practice and excellent performance, that Mr. Mitchel Obi is a qualified journalist duly registered with and recognized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and an up to date member of SWAN, condemned all contrary insinuations on the membership status of Mr. Obi being mischievously, dishonourably and irresponsibly propagated by Mr. Honour Sirawoo for his selfish interest.

The Communiqué reads: “Lagos SWAN condemns the move by Mr. Sirawoo, acting alone, to disparage and disrepute the body of Nigerian Sports journalists and embarrassing the public by writing to the AIPS that Nigeria has no candidate for the AIPS election and further personally calling the President of the AIPS to declare that the highly reputed Mr. Mitchel Obi is not a qualified journalist.

“Lagos SWAN condemned the arbitrariness of Mr. Honour Sirawo’s decision to make Nigeria lost the presidency of AIPS Africa without consideration for national interest.

“Lagos SWAN condemned the dictatorial style of leadership by which Mr. Sirawoo took all the decisions without consultation with and usurping the authority of the National Executive Committee.

“Lagos SWAN condemned the bad governance of Mr. Sirawoo in disrespecting and disregarding all appeals by the leaders of its parent body, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the leadership of SWAN at various levels and bares the NEC, and top sports personalities, to rethink his wrong and false position.

“ Lagos SWAN resolved that it is no longer confident and can no longer submit itself to the arbitrary and dictatorial authority of the national president/chairman of SWAN considering the damage he has caused to the fabrics if the association and his poise to continue in like manner.

”Lagos SWAN called on the National Executive Committee to immediately convene a meeting of its organ and of the Full Council Meeting or/and National Congress to correct the mis-governance of SWAN

“Lagos SWAN put on hold a motion for the indefinite suspension of a former national president of SWAN, Mr. Olu Amadasun, from Lagos SWAN, pending the conclusion of investigations by the SWAN Lagos executives on the accusation that he influenced the decision of Honour Sirawo to decline signing the nomination of Mr. Mitchell Obi and on his statement on Social Media calling on Mr. Obi to vacate the office of the AIPS Africa President.