World Athletics backs AFN’s emergency congress as 36 states hit Abuja

Running tracks at a stadium

World Athletics (WA), the global governing body for the sport, has given Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) the nod to hold today’s emergency congress in Abuja.

The emergency congress, which was called by the AFN to tackle some constitutional issues, has stirred controversy from some of the board members, who claim it did not meet the constitutional requirement of 15 days notice.

AFN First Vice President, Tafida Gadzama, had written to the body’s president, Tonobok Okowa, on Tuesday, warning against violating the federation’s constitution with regards to the emergency congress.

Gadzama was said to have sent a copy of his letter to World Athletics.

Speaking with The Guardian, yesterday, AFN Secretary General, Rita Mosindi, explained: “World Athletics actually called me after receiving a copy of Gadzama’s letter to ask if I had seen his complaint. I said yes. I explained to World Athletics that in AFN’s constitution, there is no law specifying the number of days for emergency congress. What we have is 60 days notice for our normal congress and 15 days notice for extraordinary congress.

“I told them that we held our normal congress in January this year and what we are having now is an emergence congress to tackle some constitutional issues. World Athletics said we are in order and should go ahead with the emergency congress,” Mosindi stated.

The AFN scribe also revealed that officials from all 36 states and the FCT have indicated interest in attending the emergency congress.

“As we speak, officials from 25 states are already on ground in Abuja and others are on their way. Some of them are coming with their teams for the All Comers and Golden League,” she stated.

American-based AFN board member, former