Following mixed reactions that trailed the news of the refusal of the national body of SWAN to endorse the candidacy of veteran journalist Michel Obi to recontest for the AIPS AFRICA Presidency, findings have revealed reasons for the decision of the sports writers body.
According to findings, the refusal of the President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Honour Sirawoo, to endorse Obi’s candidacy was hinged on the eligibility statutes as stipulated by AIPS AFRICA, and this conditions were not met by Obi.
A top member of SWAN who spoke on the conditions of anonymity stated that Mitchel Obi was never a registered member of SWAN and NUJ, as his membership of AIPS AFRICA was illegal.
” I can tell you categorically that Mitchel Obi is not a registered member of SWAN and NUJ. And if he is claiming anything contrary to this, let him come up with his documents, ” he said. He was quick to debunk claims of witch-hunt, vendetta or self aggrandisement against his candidacy by a section of the press.
” Let’s not take this as a personal issue. It is purely about integrity and doing what is professionally and ethically right.
Continuing, he pointed at sections of the AIPS statutes on the eligibility of a candidate for any position on the body.
“According to Article 12 (sub 3) of the statutes, only members from fully paid – up associations can be elected to the Executive Committee. Member associations can present the candidature of only one member for not more than two (2) positions of the Executive Committee.
” And on the eligibility issue, the statutes categorically states thus ‘Professional sports journalists who are members of a National Association and holders of valid AIPS cards. Candidacy is personal and individual, but only National Associations have the right to present the candidature of their members. Only full time professional journalists can be candidate for any position ‘ ” he added.
As earlier reported, the nomination closed 12 midnight yesterday.
Written By: Akeem Busari for Sportflames.com
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