By Harrison Jalla
Abuja, Oct. 24, 2024 Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is not a sportsman, and the President has never claimed to be one. However, after barely a year in office, President Tinubu stands out in Nigeria’s sports history as the President who has taken the most pragmatic steps in terms of financial investment in the sector.
Despite these efforts, the President may not succeed in achieving a vibrant sports sector because his appointments in the sports sector thus far have been ill-advised and politically motivated. The former Minister of Sports, John Enoh, was a huge mistake, while the appointment of Shehu Dikko is nothing short of a complete disaster.
On what basis was Dikko appointed? Certainly not on merit. Dikko’s track record as Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC) is in the public domain for all to see. Under his leadership, the flagship of Nigerian domestic football, the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), died. In 2022, after 11 years as LMC chairman, Dikko was removed from office, and the NPFL had been reduced to ground zero. The federal government had to step in to rescue the NPFL.
Mr. President, with due respect, must reconsider this appointment for the following reasons: There are serious and proven allegations of corruption, criminal diversion, misappropriation, and theft hanging over Dikko. To make matters worse, he is a convict of the Plateau State High Court, Jos, and is evading the law. The return of Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports Commission through intense lobbying of the presidency is an attempt by a notorious football gang to capture Nigerian sports through the back door. This will be fiercely resisted by stakeholders.
President Tinubu, being a listening leader, will soon receive a formal and official presentation from stakeholders outlining why this appointment is an aberration and cannot stand.
It is now crystal clear that Nigeria’s retired sportsmen and women have no future in sports administration.
