Joseph Isokpehi Reporting
…Dr Aghedo Now Acting Chairman
It was game over for the embattled Comrade Roland Abu as Chairman,
Edo State Football Association (EFA) following the ratification of his suspension from office by the Edo state Football Association board members, over allegations bothering on high-handedness, corruption among other issues raised against him by the board.
It would be recalled that Comrade Roland Abu who assumed office as the board chairman on June 25th 2021 after the suspension of the then chairman of the Edo FA, Osaro Asemota, was suspended from office as Edo FA chairman on April 17,2023, following a vote of no confidence passed on him by members of the Edo FA Board.
The ratification of comrade Abu’s suspension was decided today May 2nd 2023, during the Edo state Football Association congress which held at the media centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin city.
The congress, consequently approved the acting Chairmanship position of the vice chairman, Dr Moses Aghedo to subsist.
In his remark by Kindness Ohiowele, a board member of the Edo Football Association,. After a brief report of the subject matter by the Edo FA Secretary, Andrew Unujiaga, Ohiowele said that the embattled Roland Abu had consistently threw caution to the wind with total disregard for the EFA statutes in running the affairs of the association as if the Edo FA board was his (Roland Abu) personal estate.
“Ohiowele stated that, somebody occupied the same position as chairman before Abu,he was similarly impeached for similar offences with him Roland Abu also in support move for the removal of Hon Osaro Ademota as chairman then. So, we expected him to learn from that experience but he didn’t. Abu’s administration lacked accountability.”
“He accused him of taking certain critical decisions alone against the wish of the board.
Ohiowele explained, adding that comrade Roland Abu was invited by the FA for a fair hearing on the allegations against him but never responded and refused to attend the congress where the final decision for his suspension was taken.
Ratifying comrade Roland Abu’s suspension, Comrade Prince Daniel Iruero, Vice chairman, Edo Referees Council moved the motion for the removal of the embattled former chairman which was seconded by Jimmy Aimuagbonrie of the Women Amateur League, which later received voice votes of other members in attendance.
The Congress had in attendance board members of the Edo state Football Association, led by Dr Moses Aghedo, Capt Stephen Amadin( Rtd), Kindness Ohiowele, Charles olubayo, Faith Ojeaga, representatives of the NPFL and NWFL in the state, that of the youth League, players union, Coaches Association, NLO, Referees Council, and the women amateur league. Others include Observers, some members of Edo FA staff and the press.
In his acceptance speech, the acting Edo FA chairman, Dr Moses Aghedo while thanking the EFA members for their maturity in handling the issues in the Edo FA so far, assured them of responsible leadership.
“All members of Edo FA are important and we will work together to take Edo football to greater heights so to reciprocate the kind gesture of Edo state government.” Aghedo posited.