Stakeholders hail Committee, winners of Anambra FA election
Commendations have trailed the successful conduct and conclusion of 2020 Anambra State Football Association (ASFA) elections into the board and local football councils in the state which held on Aug. 2.
NewsMonitor reports that the election was conducted via electronic voting to ensure full compliance to COVID-19 safety protocols and first of its kind in the country.
The process which commenced on June 1 had reached advanced stage and was due for physical voting on July 27 and July 28 before it was suspended by the Anambra government on July 25 for possible breach of safety protocols.
Incumbent chairman, Ifeanyi Ubah, a serving senator and president of FC Ifeanyi Ubah was returned opposed for second term alongside his Vice, Jude Obikwelu and seven other as members.
A major introduction into the board was Philip Balepo, a seasoned sports journalists who is the first media practitioner to have a space at the table of foremost football administrative organ in Anambra.
Other elected members of the board were Joe Amene, Uduh Kingsley, Amuzie Cyprain, Obiefune Collins, Adinnu Okezie and Ada Edward.
The stakeholders applauded the electoral committee led by Jude Anyadufu for conducting a transparent, less rancorous and all inclusive election in spite the torrents of pressure on them to subvert the process.
In his message, Chris Green, a former Chairman technical committee in the Nigeria football federation NFF, lauded the committee for a good job of conducting the first virtual election in the history of Nigeria football.
Green who is presently the special adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on the Real Madrid football Academy said the electoral committee was a group of intelligent, committed and highly patriotic Nigerians who have shown by their actions that men of integrity and class still existed within Nigeria football community.
“I have always trusted Anyadufu for his sincerity and uprightness even in the face of intimidation. I followed proceedings from Monday last week when the first election took place and I knew from the word go that his committee will not like to get involved in controversies.
“We kept talking and I told him to do what was right to please his conscience, electoral committee had lots of consultation before agreeing to the option of virtual election after the congress had met to amend that part of the statutes.
“In all sincerity, this was a very mature job, devoid of fraud or malpractices, once again I will like to commend all those involved, for a job well done,” he said.
He also commended the chairman of the board, Ubah for remaining calm and focused in spite all the frustrations.
According to Green, Ifeanyi Ubah has shown that he is a leader and a very good politician and deserves to be applauded too for his maturity.
Meanwhile, the management of FC Ifeanyi Ubah has congratulated their chairman on his well deserved and hard fought victory
The congratulatory message which was signed by Chukwuma Ubah, chairman of the club said his reelection was a testimony of his contributions to development of grassroots football while praying for a more purposes tenure in the next four years.
“The management of our dear club FC Ifeanyi Ubah heartily felicitate and congratulate the Proprietor and Founder of our great club and Chairman of ASFA, Senator Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah on his re-election as Chairman of the FA Board for another four years.
“We sincerely appreciate your immense commitment towards youth development and growth of grassroots football.
May the next four years of your administration as the FA Chairman be laced with giant strides and success,” it stated.
Elections were held for 20 Local Football Councils while that of Orumba South which returned their forms out of time would be done later in a bye election.
