In its last emergency virtual meeting, the National Executive Committee of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN) has impeached its else while president, Mr. Isaiah from his position.
This development was made known in a communique issued at the end of the NEC meeting which was presided over by the President, Otuekong Bonny Nyong held on Monday 26 of this month.
The decision of the impeachment of Mr. Benjamin was taken after the NEC adopted and deliberated on the report submitted by the Independent Investigative Committee (IIC) set up to look into the alleged infractions against the president.
According to the communique, the Independent Investigative Committee (IIC) blamed Mr. Isaiah Benjamin for putting the Association into unnecessary chaos which in turn indicates a failure of leadership.
The communique further faulted his bad leadership style which plunged the association into serious crisis which is a sign of immaturity to manage the office of the President of SWAN.
The NEC then asked Isaiah Benjamin to hand over all properties of the Association in his possession within 7 days to the Administrative Secretary.
The NEC also debunks the purported termination of Mr. Gabriel Nwanetanya and Oluwaseun Ajayi-Obe’s appointments as National Ex-Officio and NEC members as authored by Ikenna Okonkwo as both officers still remain the bonafide officers and members of NEC.
The NEC further takes special notice of the conduct of the leadership of the Kano State chapter of the Association and warns against reoccurrence, urges the VP of North West to put a special surveillance on Kano chapter.
The NEC also cautions the Secretary General, Ikenna Okonkwo and some chapters’ chairmen against conduct capable of bringing the Association into disrepute.
The NEC then approves the appointment of Gara Gombe as the Deputy President and Farouk Bello as National Ex Officio.
The National Executive Council of SWAN calls on the Vice Presidents to take firm control of their zones and ensure elections are conducted as at when due in line with the Statute.
The council calls on States to mobilize their members for the 2024 registration and apply the provisions of the Statute in their operational activities and finally commends the Independent Investigative Committee for doing a thorough and good job despite threats and intimidation.
The NEC then assured that their sacrifice would be written in the sands of time.
The communique was E-signed by the Communiqué Drafting Committee which has Ijeoma Peter Nwante and Muhammad Mansour Ibrahim as Chairman and secretary while Austin Ajayi and Seun Ajayi-Obe are members and authenticated by Olalekan Ige, Deputy Secretary General of the association.