Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports on Tuesday advised all contestants in the national sports federations elections to abide by the guidelines.
Dalung gave the advised in a statement signed by Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, Special Assistant, Media, to the minister.
He said that the guidelines were adopted by stakeholders of the various sports and the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
Dalung said the ministry was committed to producing democratically elected Sports Federations officials.
“It has come to the notice of the ministry that some former Presidents of dissolved boards of sports federations are planning to undermine the laid down process for the forthcoming elections into National Sports Federations.
” I advised all contestants to abide by the rules and guidelines adopted by stakeholders of the various sports and the Nigeria Olympic Committee,” he said.
Dalung reiterated that all sports Federations’ boards have been dissolved after the expiration of their four-year term and this would remain so to make way for credible elections.
“The boards of all the federations have been dissolved. There is no autonomous board or Federation anywhere. The boards are funded by the federal government and are on federal government’s budget.
” Anybody involved or trying to disturb the public peace will have the law agencies to contend with.
“The date of all sports federations’ elections including the Zonal representatives, Vice Presidents and Presidents remains June 13, he said.
Dalung also warned that anybody contributing money or doing business with any of the outgone presidents of the dissolved federations’ boards at this time, does so at his or her own risk.
He said that the ministry would do everything in its capacity to ensure a level playing field for all contestants adding that everyone would be given equal opportunity to realize hisambition.
“Those heating up the sports space are those government nominees who were hand picked to serve on the various boards.
“The election format has since changed and every contestant must abide by the adopted guidelines.
“The date has been fixed for June 13, any other activity outside the programme of the supervising ministry is illegal.
Dalung assured sports stakeholders of a credible electoral process in the run up to the elections and advised contestants to shun activities capable of scuttling the process.(NAN)
DE/YAZ