The Nasarawa State Government has called for a free and fair election into the Board of the Nasarawa State Football Association.
This was made known by Eche Amos, the PRO, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development via a Press Released which was made available to sportseye.ng.
According to him, it was the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa, who made the call on Thursday when he played host to one of the contestants, Haliru Ibrahim, at his office in Lafia.
Yargwa noted that the Ministry is the umbrella body of all Sports Organisations in the State, hence the need to play a fatherly role in ensuring that Sports Associations carry out their activities accordingly and meet the standard requirements for the general good of the State.
The Commissioner disclosed that the Government is concerned by myriads of complaints it had received by some contestants into some Board positions of the State FA, but warned the Electoral Committee to uphold the overriding interest of the State for the development of football and its stakeholders.
“Though we are challenged with numerous issues, however, the world is evolving, and we must be seen to be following suit.
“The Electoral Committee must adhere to best practices by allowing a democratic tradition to take a foothold in the forthcoming FA election in the State.
“Electorate should be allowed to elect their leaders through a clean ballot process.
“The ELCOM must ensure a level-playing field and ensure that the election is secure, free, fair and credibly conducted.
“Electorate must not be intimidated before or during the election because everyone is a stakeholder.
“As a Government, we believe in the unity and progress of the State and her people in all spheres.
“We are keenly following up on all the development regarding the FA election, and we wish the most credible candidates bouyed by the collective yearnings of the electorate for good leadership, success.”
According to Haliru Ibrahim, he said he was at the Ministry to intimate the Commissioner of his ambition to contest for the post of the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Football Association, having obtained his form from the Electoral Committee.
He pleaded with the Ministry to ensure that the elective congress is transparent and devoid of any sharp practices.
The Nasarawa State Football Association election holds on Saturday, 27th May, 2023, in Garaku, Kokona Local Government Area.
Screening of candidates holds on Thursday, 25th May, 2023.