Anambra govt. suspends FA elections for COVID-19 reasons
The forthcoming Anambra State Football Association (AnSFA) board and Local Football Councils elections scheduled for July 27 and July 28 respectively in Awka have been suspended by the state government.
C-Don Adinuba, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment who issued the statement said fear of spread of COVID-19 was the reason for the government action and reminded all that the ban on elections in the state due to COVID-19 had not been lifted.
The AnSFA board election was a 26-man delegate election.
Adinuba said the elections were not emergencies and called on the police to ensure that no individual or group that gathered for the purpose of election on those dates.
“Anambra observes with profound regret that despite the efforts to make our state remain the safest place in the country, there are certain individuals and groups determined to brazenly flout the law meant to prevent the spread of the contagion in the state.
“These individuals and groups believe they are above the law.
“For instance, some people in the Anambra State Football Association have planned to hold elections on Monday, July 27 into the Board of the AnSFA and into the LFC.
“This decision is reckless and in flagrant violation of the directive by the Anambra State Government prohibiting elections in the state until further notice.
“These elections are by no means an emergency, in fact, there is absolutely nothing urgent about them.
“In consideration of the above, the Anambra government hereby cancels the purported elections into the two bodies planned to hold on Monday, July 27, 2020.
“The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies have been directed to ensure that no elections are held anywhere in the state until further notice.
“The infectious diseases bill passed by the State House of Assembly and assented to accordingly by the Governor as well as existing directives on COVID-19 must be obeyed, there are no sacred cows,” it stated.
Preparations had reached advanced stage for the election with the commencement of sale of nomination forms on June 1
