The State Executive Committee of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun State chapter has frowned at the illegal NEC meeting held on January 8, 2024 at Uyo in Akwa Ibom state by some five members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the association to purportedly suspend the lawfully elected President of the Association, Isaiah Kemje Benjamin.
The Ogun state chapter declared that such a kangaroo meeting in Uyo is a fruitless adventure, illegal, vindictive, senseless and baseless without conforming with Articles 11, 14 and 22 of the SWAN statutes.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the State Chairman, Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, and the Secretary, Segun Folarin, in Abeokuta, Thursday.
The Statement reads, “Ogun SWAN commends the National President and the NEC members for affirming and recognizing the legitimacy and credibility of the State Triennial Congress that confirmed Ogunsiji Michael-Azeez led executives as the duly elected State Executive Committee (SEC) on July 19, 2023 as supervised by the SWAN Zonal VP, all security agencies, Ogun State FA, Ogun state Ministry of Sports Development, Nigeria Referees Association, and NUJ representatives.
“Ogun SWAN urges the SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin to continue to toe the line of peace by reconciling all aggrieved members of the association.
“Ogun SWAN urges all members to desist from any action that could be perceived as mischief or that may disrupt the smooth operation of our association. Mr. Isaiah Benjamin has been duly elected as the National President of SWAN, and it is in the best interest of SWAN that we support his leadership.
“Ogun SWAN, therefore, demands immediate suspension of the NEC members who participated in the failed coup attempt in Uyo Indefinitely to serve as a deterrent to others.
“In view of the foregoing, the Ogun state chapter of SWAN wishes to affirm our unalloyed support to the SWAN National leadership headed by Mr. Isaiah Benjamin for his exceptional leadership style and efforts at reviving the lost glory of the association”.
