Controversy has trailed the resignation of Solomon Ogba as a board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
Ogba’s resignation came barely 24 hours to the AFN board members’ parallel meetings in Abuja and Awka, Anambra State.
While the meeting at Awka is summoned by the president of the AFN, Ibrahim Gusau, that of Abuja was called by the new secretary-general of the AFN, Adisa Beyioku.
Board members of the AFN are currently divided, with some loyal to the AFN president and others to the sports ministry.
Though Ogba blamed undue interference in the activities of the AFN for his resignation, there were allegations that he resigned to escape being probed over the spending of IAAF $150,000 grant.
It was learnt that the details of the expenditure of IAAF grant for the 21st African Championships in Athletics held in Asaba in August 2018 are yet to be made known to the board members.
Ogba, in a statement by his media adviser, Olukayode Thomas, said, “I am not comfortable with the dirty politicking that has taken over the AFN lately and that has informed my decision to quit the board.
“Things are now being done without recourse to the law binding the federation.
“As an elder statesman in sports and athletics, in particular, I cannot sit and continue to watch things being done wrongly.
“Though, I have withdrawn from the AFN board, I will continue to give my support to the athletics in Delta and Nigeria as a whole.”
On his part, an AFN board member, Brown Ebewele, insisted that Ogba should be held responsible for how the IAAF grant was spent.
“The IAAF cannot relate with anybody except the AFN. The money is paid into the federation’s account. Who was the head then? Ogba is talking nonsense,” he added.
