NSC Reaffirms Commitment to Credible Sports Federation Elections
By Maxwell Kumoye
As Nigeria prepares for the forthcoming National Sports Federations elections, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has reaffirmed its determination to ensure a transparent, credible, and fair electoral process across all federations in the country.
A senior NSC official, speaking exclusively to First Zealmediacast Blog, emphasized that the Commission remains resolute in upholding integrity and fairness, despite what was described as “desperate attempts by certain individuals to manipulate outcomes.”
“No amount of intimidation or blackmail will deter us from doing what is right — not just for a few individuals but for all federations,” the official stated.
“The rules and regulations guiding each association, alongside the NSC’s election guidelines, will be strictly adhered to in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
According to the Commission, the goal is to give Nigerian sports “a new lease of life” through transparency, accountability, and renewed trust in the leadership of national federations.
The official further noted that past federation elections conducted under NSC supervision were fair and credible, warning that any attempt to subvert due process in the upcoming polls would be met with firm resistance.
“We are determined to meet international standards in this process,” the source added, “and no individual or group will be considered too powerful to operate outside the established rules.”
The NSC also emphasized that, following the elections, all federations are expected to run their affairs independently and professionally, free from external interference — a key component of the Commission’s broader effort to strengthen governance and accountability in Nigerian sports.
GBAYI PRAISES NSC’S ROLE IN JUDO FEDERATION CRISIS
Meanwhile, former Nigerian international judoka and chairman of the Ogun State Judo Association, Honourable Omoba Segun Gbayi, has defended the NSC’s intervention in the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) dispute, describing it as both timely and necessary.
Reacting to recent media attacks by the ousted NJF president, Dr. Musa Oshodi, Gbayi dismissed the allegations as “mischief and blackmail” aimed at misleading the public and the international judo community.
> “Dr. Oshodi is only trying to remain relevant after losing influence,” Gbayi said. “His claims against the NSC and its Director-General, Honourable Bukola Olopade, are baseless and dead on arrival.”
Gbayi alleged that Dr. Oshodi had unilaterally organized elections and sworn in new board members before the tenure of the existing board expired — a clear breach of the NJF’s regulations and democratic norms.
According to him, the NSC had earlier invited Dr. Oshodi resolved issues arising from a self-authored and unapproved constitution, but the former president ignored all reconciliation efforts and proceeded with a controversial election on September 11, 2025.
Gbayi said the disputed election excluded key stakeholders, including NAWIS, NAPHER-SD, AFFAN, the military and paramilitary representatives, sponsors, and the international delegate.
“That election was designed to entrench himself in power,” Gbayi claimed. “It was hurriedly conducted against the wishes of stakeholders and violated every principle of fair play.”
He further accused Dr. Oshodi of bringing the federation into disrepute through alleged irregularities, including visa racketeering, which he said had damaged the NJF’s image locally and internationally.
Gbayi condemned Oshodi’s calls for presidential intervention and his attempts to undermine the NSC’s leadership, describing them as “acts of desperation.”
“The leadership of the NSC should be praised, not vilified,” Gbayi concluded. “If not for their timely intervention, the Nigeria Judo Federation would have descended into chaos and anarchy.”
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