Shelve Elections to Honour deceased Kano Athletes, Officials, Gombe urges AFN

By Orkula Shaagee

The Chairman, Gombe State Athletics Association, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has urged the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to shelve its planned national elections as a mark of honour to the 22 athletes and officials of Kano State, who died recently in an auto crash.
In a statement issued and made available to newsmen, the former Special Adviser to the former Governor of Kano State, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso,
He said: “Sadly, I don’t think this is the appropriate time for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to hold an election, a period of national mourning. If the elections were postponed owing to the National Sports Festival, why is it not cogent and proper to shift the election further after 22 lives perished?” he asked.
Gombe expressed deepest condolences over the auto crash involving Kano State Sports contingent, who were returning from the National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
In press statement issued in Abuja and made available to journalists, Gombe stated that, “I would like to use this opportunity to express my deepest sympathy to the Kano State Sports contingent that lost 22 members in an auto crash while returning from the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State. This tragic incident calls for national mourning not only for Kano State.
“However, I would also like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Kano State, a place where I served as Special Adviser to former Governor of Kano State, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.
“I know many of the athletes we lost in the tragic incident. It took me this long to issue this statement because I was speechless and in tears. However, we came from God and to Him we would return. I wish to my condolences to families of the departed.
“It is insensitive for any individual to still be thinking about elections, which is illegal.
Since the AFN is myopic not to shift the elections, The National Sports Commission should intervene again in postponing the election during this time of national mourning,” said Gombe said.