AFN faces constitutional crisis as extraordinary congress hangs in the balance

President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) may be forced to shift to next month its extraordinary congress earlier fixed to hold next week Thursday in Abuja.

In a notice of meeting sent late last night to members of the congress (state athletics chairpersons and their secretaries, as well as board members), and signed by Rita Moshindi, its Secretary General, the AFN said the congress, convened at the instance of Tonobok Okowa, its president is “to address an important Constitutional matter.”

The Guardian, however, gathered that the notice contravened article 10.1.7 of the federation’s 2023 amended constitution.

The article states that “an extraordinary congress of the AFN shall be convened by the President or two-thirds of the board as the case may be for the amendments of the constitution or the consideration of any other matter.

“Notice of 15 working days shall be given. The purpose agenda for the extraordinary congress shall be sent to the secretariat of all member states within the stipulated 15 working days.”

Athletics watchers are baffled the AFN Secretary General is claiming ignorance of the provisions of the federation’s constitution regarding the convening of an extraordinary congress.

As it stands, the AFN can not hold any extraordinary congress until early next month as article 10.1.7 effectively provides for a three weeks notice.

The Guardian further gathered that the embattled leadership of the AFN may have convened the congress to expel its two vice presidents, Olympic gold medalist, Tafida Gadzama, and Rosa Collins, an African Games gold medal winner, as well as some members of the board who have been critical of the lack of transparency in the