By: Chinedum Ohanusi
A leading presidential aspirant, in the upcoming elections for a new Board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has called for the pulsing of the process, in honour of the twenty-two souls that died, in a fetal auto-crash involving a Kano State team bus, that was returning home, after the just concluded 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF), hosted by Ogun State.
Mallam Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, a one-time Sports Advisor to a former Governor of Kano State, made the call, in the light of the tragedy, which occurred on Saturday, at about 50 kilometers to the ancient city of Kano.
Describing the carnage as a national tragedy, Gara Gombe believes it will be inappropriate to proceed with the elections into the AFN Board, despite the demise of 22 young and not-so-young athletes, officials, journalists, and staff of the state Sports Council.
“While some [may] argue that the process is legal, [with what happened on Saturday, the timing is now] both insensitive and unjustified. Today, that’s just 24 hours after the horrific incident, I read a statement announcing the scheduling of these elections, when we all ought to have been mourning the 22 lives lost in a single day”, he said in a statement.
He noted that previously, the elections were postponed by the National Sports Commission (NSC), because of the National Sports Festival. But sticking with the schedule after the heartbreaking turn of events, shows a complete disregard for human life.
He therefore, called on the leadership of the NSC, to immediately intervene, being that the current AFN leadership has failed to show compassion, and heed the calls for the polls to be paused.
“The government must act to halt the electoral process, at least until the official mourning period, which according to Islamic tradition is seven days, elapses; and if the elections go on regardless, I believe that, sooner or later, they will be declared null and void”, he asserted.
Meanwhile, Gara Gombe has also conveyed his deep, heartfelt sympathy and condolences to all the families of the victims of the tragic accident, on their way home from Abeokuta, on Saturday.
“This calls for mourning, not just in Kano State, but across Nigeria. I hereby extend my condolences to the good people and government of Kano State. Having had a stint there as Special Advisor on Sports to a former governor. I knew many of the athletes who lost their lives, in person”
A teary Gara Gombe said the tragic news came to him, with awe and rendered him speechless, not knowing what to say initially; but it finally dawned on him that, “all humans came from God and to Him we shall all return”.
Contrary to opinion that fatigue and overspending were responsible for the accident; Gara Gombe noted that the bridge where the 30 seater Costa Bus plunged into a ditch, is a known dangerous spot that has claimed many other lives over the years, due to mysterious and Inexplicable accidents.
“This contingent left Ogun State and followed a specific route, and arranged to manage driver fatigue, by having two drivers, the main driver and a back-up. But sadly, both drivers also lost their lives in the crash. We, at the Gombe State Athletics Association, will continue to pray for the repose of the souls lost; our brothers, sisters, and friends in that tragic accident.
As the Chairman, Proprietor, and CEO of the Athletics Academy, and Green White Green Sports Center Limited, this should serve as a sobering reminder to all living creatures, of the fragility of life. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
