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EXCLUSIVE: IAAF Set To Ban Nigeria Over $135,000 Debt (see letter)

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By Michael Effiong

There are strong indications that Nigeria will soon face a ban from the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) over a pending $135,000 that has been pending since 2017.

Indeed from all indications, if Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung who had given and reneged on his earlier promise does not pay, it may spell doom for the country.

In a letter dated May 13, 2019 written by the IAAF to the President, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) that was exclusively obtained by The Boss, the world athletics body wrote:

“You were informed on 14 March 2018 by our CEO of a payment made by IAAF to the bank account of your federation on 17 May 2017. A sum of $150,000 was transfeered by the IAAF of which $135,000 was wrongly transferred.

“We promptly notified you of this overpayment and followed up with several written correspondences as well as meeting with you in November 2017, requesting that you reverse the bank transfer for the over payment to no avail.

“On 28 June 2018, you informed us that the Ministry of Sports was ready to refund 50% of that amount and despite several telephone conversations, the amount was still not paid.

While we were in Asaba in August 2018 during the African Senior Championships we met with the Minister of Sports and his Permanent Secretary. We discussed about the return of the funds to the IAAF and until today, we have not heard anything.

We understand that the Minister of Sports will be stepping downsoon and it is important for you to arrange for the return of the full amount within two weeks at the latest. Failure to receive the funds back within the period, we will have no alternative than to apply appropriate sanctions against your federation.

The letter signed by Jee Isram Senior Manager, Governance, Member & International Relations was dispatched from Yokohama Japan, where the IAAF is hold a relay tournament, the AFN is yet to react as key officials are on the flight back from the tournament.

 

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Your Presidential Ambition Dead on Arrival, Presidency Knocks Atiku As PDP Stalwarts Defect to APC

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The Presidency has delivered a jab at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, declaring his 2027 presidential ambition and coalition-building efforts “dead on arrival” following the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other top PDP figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In separate posts on X, Presidential aides Bayo Onanuga and Tunde Rahman mocked Atiku’s attempts to rally opposition forces, saying recent developments show his coalition is crumbling before it even takes off.

Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, wrote: “Atiku’s political future looks bleak. The coalition that he, El-Rufai, Babachir, and new member Baba-Ahmed are cobbling together has disintegrated. Potential allies, including former running mate Ifeanyi Okowa and defunct CPC members, are giving his leprous group a wide berth. Atiku is a loser again.”

Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, posted earlier in the day: “Things are really getting perilous and the future looks so bleak for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s coalition. After the PDP governors washed their hands clean of any such coalition plan, the defunct CPC wing he is also counting on has proffered support for President Tinubu.

Today (Wednesday), he got his biggest shocker ever. His 2023 election running mate, former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and Okowa’s successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, dumped the sinking PDP ship and hopped aboard the APC plane, and by inference, crossed over to the PBAT side.

Indeed, the counting of PDP governors crossing over to APC has begun. Isn’t Atiku’s coalition dead on arrival?”

The coordinated remarks followed a major political realignment in Delta State, where the governor, his predecessor, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire PDP state structure defected to the APC – an event seen as a significant blow to Atiku, who has been working to form a broad opposition alliance against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

Okowa was Atiku’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Atiku has yet to respond to the defection or the presidential aides’ comments, though acting national chairman Iliya Damagum earlier described the Delta exit as “unfortunate,” while insisting that the party remains focused and resilient.

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Former Delta Gov, Ifeanyi Okowa, Defects to APC

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Former Governor of Delta State, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential running mate in the 2023 election, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okowa confirmed the news of his defection to ARISE NEWS on Wednesday following the announcement of the current governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, who also defected from the PDP to the APC on Wednesday.

The development was disclosed by Senator James Manager after a six-hour meeting at Government House, Asaba.

“All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC,” Manager stated. “We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat.”

Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniagwu Charles, officially confirmed the sweeping political shift, attributing the decision to the need for renewed direction and enhanced governance in the state.

“There is a need for us to adjust our drinking patterns. And in adjusting that drinking pattern, we needed to make a decision that would further help to cement the development in our state,” he said.

Aniagwu added that the move aimed to sustain progress in law, security, and welfare, likening the PDP to a “palm wine whose taste has changed,” necessitating a change in “drinking party”.

He further indicated that the defection was unanimously agreed upon by key PDP leaders and stakeholders in the state, with a formal public declaration expected on Monday.

“By the grace of God, on Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement confirming that we are moving into the APC,” he said.

The mass defection represents a dramatic realignment in Delta State’s political landscape and could significantly alter party dynamics in the broader South-South region, historically a PDP stronghold.

Okowa will be received on Monday by Vice President Kashim Shettima alongside Governor Oborevwori.

AriseNews

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Delta Gov, Oborevwori Dumps PDP, Joins APC

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Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defection was announced after Wednesday’s closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon.

Ahon said the Governor’s decision to switch allegiance to the ruling APC came after thorough discussions with political stakeholders, aimed at fostering long-term development for Delta State.

Governor Oborevwori, who secured victory in the 2023 gubernatorial election under the platform of the PDP, was welcomed by high-ranking APC officials.

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