Just as opinions from different quarters have characterized the recently held Nigeria’s General Elections held on Saturday February 25, three out of four Referees Societies in Ekiti State have been stalled.
Penultimate Saturday, an eye witness account reports that the referees could not find a common ground to resolve some of the issues that were raised by some members who alleged foul play in the conduct of the election.
Though Dr Peter Ajayi of the Bamidele Olumilua University, Ikere Ekiti had emerged chairman of the Ikere Ekiti Football Referees Society after a successful election supervised by elders and stakeholders of the state Football Referees Council, but it was not possible to conduct that of Ado Ekiti, Ijero Ekiti and Ekiti West Societies.
Some members and stakeholders alleged that some individuals were hell bent on bending the rules to either favor themselves or some set of people who are their allies at the detriment of the laid down statute that guide the Referees Council.
Some of the allegations raised were indiscriminate disqualification of some aspirants, failure to adhere to electoral guidelines and acceptance of some aspirants without proper endorsement.
Reports have it that members of the Ekiti State Football Referees Council who are not pleased with the way things panned out had forwarded their protest letters to the Nigeria Football Referees Association at both the Zonal and National levels as well as the Zonal Electoral Appeal Committee to register their grouses and displeasure.
Efforts were made by NewsCombs Media Correspondent to know the views of some key stakeholders but conflicting reports were given.
While some of the Stakeholders said elections held, others said elections never took place.
In the meantime, latest report from the Headquarters of the Nigeria Football Referees Association (NRA) says the governing body has ordered that a rerun election be held tomorow Saturday March 4 and Sunday March 5.
In a letter signed by the Secretary General of the NRA, Dr S. U Omeiza stated that the three Referees Societies where elections were inconclusive namely Ado Municipal, Ijero and Ekiti West Societies should re-conduct the election .
The chairman Ondo state Football Referees Council, Mr Fidelis Fabidun will serve as the electoral chairman while a couple of stakeholders were suspended from playing any path in the election.
De Gogetter
