By Nelson Dafe, Benin City on June 9, 2019

Edo State FA held its elective Congress in Benin City on Saturday morning and the stunning outcome is that incumbent Frank Ilaboya has been defeated by underdog challenger Osaro Asemoota.

In the election held at the event hall of the 4th Mechanized Brigade of the Nigerian Army in the Edo State capital, Osamota won the voted of 6 of the 10 delegates while Ilaboya had 4 votes.

Asemota, a former Senior Adviser on Sports to the immediate past Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is a former Nigerian international and has steadily grown in stature as an intelligent head that can move football development forward.

Asemota’s victory automatically stalled the process of determining who wins the position of the Vice Chairman between incumbent holder of the position, Alex Olaye, and Fred Erhunmwunsee – both of whom are from Edo South.

According to the statue of the association, a particular senatorial district cannot produce Chairman and Vice at the same time. Therefore, the position of Vice Chairman has now been ceded to either Edo North or Central, who now have one out of their three members’ seats vacant pending the outcome of the vice chairmanship bye election to be conducted on a later date.

In the circumstances, both Erhunmwunsee and former Vice Chairman of the association, Alex Olaye, have lost out of the race.

There was a mild drama when the chairman of the electoral committee reminded the aspirants to the vice chairmanship position as the candidates argued for a refund of the money they used to pick their forms for the position.

Meanwhile, Dr Moses Aghedo and Faith Irabor were returned elected, making Dr Aghedo the longest serving member in the association.

In the Edo Central positions, Kindness Ohiowole with a resounding victory returned elected along with Faith Ojiaga while Ahmed Aigbona, Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Edo State chapter, and Paul Ojeisekhoba also returned elected as Edo North representatives.

Speaking after their inauguration, the new EFA Chairman scored his predecessor high. He promised to sustain and build on Ilaboya’s legacies and work hard to effect positive changes in the areas the previous EXCO was deficient.

Also speaking, Ilaboya said he had no ill feelings about the election results and promised to continue to contribute to football development in the state.

Dr Aghedo and Mr. Irabor or also promised to cooperate with the new chairman and contribute their quota for the good of Edo football.

•Story supplemented with agency reports. Photo shows Hon. Asemota being sworn in as Edo FA Chairman.

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 9, 2019

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