President Bola Tinubu is facing mounting pressure to sack Sports Minister, John Enoh, over the exclusion of top athlete Favour Ofili from the 100m event at the Paris Olympic Games.
Sports entrepreneur and Chairman of the Gombe State Athletics Association, Ahmed Shuaib Gara-Gombe, has called for the Minister’s removal, describing the situation as a “national embarrassment.”
Gara-Gombe suggested that President Tinubu should impose serious sanctions on the Sports Minister, the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel, and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria president, Tonobok Okowa, as a deterrent for future abuse.
The exclusion of Ofili from the 100m event has been attributed to negligence, inefficiency, and corruption within the sports sector.
Gara-Gombe stated that the Sports Minister has promoted corruption and refused to listen to those who would tell him the truth about the situation in Nigerian sports.
The Minister’s attempts to shift the blame to the Athletics Federation and the Nigeria Olympic Committee have been criticized, with Gara-Gombe arguing that the Minister should take full responsibility for the mess.
Gara-Gombe also expressed concern about the psychological effects of the situation on Ofili’s state of mind, as well as the contagious effect the injustice will have on other athletes.
He called for the Minister’s resignation, stating that if he fails to do so, President Tinubu should sack him immediately. Gara-Gombe also threatened to take legal action if necessary.
The situation has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for accountability and reform within the sports sector.
The exclusion of Ofili from the 100m event has been seen as a symptom of deeper problems within Nigerian sports, and there are growing demands for change.
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