SWAN Partners Kogi FA For Credible Elections

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kogi chapter on Monday pledged to partner the state Football Association (FA) in ensuring conduct of a free, fair and credible election into the executive board of the football body.

Chairman of Kogi SWAN, Mr Paul Omale made the pledge at a meeting convened by the state secretariat of the Football Association to explore areas of cooperation with sports journalists on Monday in Lokoja.

Omale who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Mr Friday Idachaba of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said as stakeholders, SWAN was committed to the election of credible leaders that would manage and promote football in the state.

The chairman also stressed the need for a media parley of the aspiring candidates to afford them the opportunity to unveil their plans for football administration in the state.

He said that the parley was part of measures to provide a level playing field in the candidates and to ensure that only candidates with passion and love for football, experience and knowledge of the peculiarities of the sport in the state were elected.

“We are happy with this meeting with the FA. We had some leadership challenges in the past but all that is history now as the association has bounced back and resolved not to be only seen working but felt”, he said.

“In view of the upcoming elections, the association has resolved to partner with the FA. We desire to build a good relation with the FA and contribute our quota to the promotion of the game. we wish to appeal to the FA secretariat to do everything possible to ensure conduct of a free, fair and credible elections” he urged.

Speaking, Mr Augustine Ogunmola, secretary of the state FA commended the SWAN for honouring the body’s invitation as he disclosed that the Electoral and Appeal committees for the February 26, election had been constituted.

Ogunmola confirmed that three persons namely - Chief Peter Oguche, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim and Alhaji Umar S. Isah had so far picked forms for the chairmanship position and applauded the plan for a media parley mooted by SWAN.

According to him, Oguche, is the proprietor of Nigeria Women Professional League club – Oguche Babes FC; Ibrahim is the Chairman of Kogi State League club, “Idah United” and Isah is the chairman of Nigeria Nationwide League Club, Lokoja FC.

“The secretariat has decided to conduct free and fair elections. The NFF has endorsed the constituted electoral and appeal committees as well as the dates and guidelines for the elections.

We are promise to conduct proper and rancour free elections”, he added.

Ogunmola explained that 10 delegates comprising six representatives from the Local government Council duly affiliated with the FA - Lokoja, Dekina, Ankpa, Ogori/Mangongo, Adavi and Okene LGAs as would vote in the election.

Others include delegates from each of the four league club sides in the state including Kogi United of National League, Ankpa Leopards and Lokoja FC in the Nationwide League, Confluence Queens and Oguche Babes in Women Football League.

At the meeting were SWAN Executive Council and other members as well as officials of the state Football Association.