Hon. Asemota emerges Edo FA boss, beats incumbent chairman
ABIODUN JIMOH, BENIN CITY
Power changed hands on Saturday at the Edo State Football Association elections as Hon. Henry Osaro Asemota, emerged winner of the chairmanship position.
At the elections held at Nigeria Army 4th Mechanised Brigade Division, Benin City, Asemota polled total of six votes to beat the incumbent chairman, Hon. Frank Ilaboya, who had four votes in an election adjudged free and fair by the delegates, observers and other stakeholders.
As the counting of the ballot progressed, the tide was initially thought to be in favour of Ilaboya until changed as the counting ended in favour of Asemota, who it was gathered to have enjoyed the backing from the power that be in the state.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected FA boss promised to operate an open door policy that would accommodate all football fans, lovers and other stakeholders, as well as to play the politics of the round leather game in the country.
Other elected members are: Faith Ojeaga, Kindness from Edo central; Dr. Moses Aghehdo and Ms. Faith Irabor from Edo south, while the duo of Ahmed Aigbona, chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Edo State chapter and Paul Ojezeoba were to represent Edo north on the board.
Meanwhile, election into the position of vice chairman could not hold as a result of the football governing body constitution which bared the chairman and vice chairman position coming from the same district, as it could have rightly occurred at the election.
This became necessary as the elected chairman, Hon. Asemota is from Edo south while all the three contestants for the vice chairman position are also from the Edo south. The election will now hold on a yet to be announced date by the new board.
