By David Abiola
A fresh election into the Osun Football Association Executive has been scheduled to fill the leadership vacuum created with the demise of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.
Ogunjobi who was until his death the Chairman of the Football Association, at one time also held the position of Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation.
However, as directed by the Nigeria Football Federation, fresh elections must be conducted by affiliated states before July 2019. Based on the foregoing, the electoral processes has since began in the state of Osun with FA members and non members seeking to occupy one office or the other.
The electoral committee in the state under the chairmanship of Barrister Taiwo Awokunle also gathered to screen all aspirants seeking various offices in the state of Osun Football Association.
Prominent amongst those screened were Otunba Isola Rasaq Mustafa (Ajiroba Ooni) from Ile-Ife and acting chairman, Prince Ademola Bamidele from Ikirun who were vying for chairman’s office. While Hon. Sulaimon Adio who is a board member would be contesting unopposed for the vice chairman’s office.
Apart from the election for State Chairman and member for Obokun zone, other positions will be filled unopposed.
Chairman of Obokun Local Football Council who is also the secretary of Ijesa Local Football Council, Mr. Olufemi Bankefa would be aiming for another tenure while he would be challenged at the poll by one time permanent secretary in the state, Elder Adelowo Adewumi.
Prince Dauda Abimbola (Iwo Zone), Engr. Kehinde Aina (Ila Zone), first timer Mr. Fayoyiwa Olusola (Osogbo Zone), Mr. Salami Fatai (Ejigbo Zone) would be returned elected without oppositions.
As stated by the scribe of electoral committee, Mr. Amoo Abayomi, the election will take place on 17th of June 2019, in a yet to be decided venue.
Meanwhile, the inaugurated appeal committee’s door has since been opened for anyone who felt otherwise during the screening. The battle line has been drawn on who succeed Ogunjobi. June 17th would be a day where ballot would be stronger than the bullet with free, fair and credible poll as promised.