Mr Niyi Alebiosu, the Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria(SWAN), Oyo State Chapter says he remained the chairman of the association in the state.
Alebiosu made the disclosure while addressing newsmen on Thursday after a congress of the association held at the SWAN secretariat in Ibadan.
He described the purported election organised by some people at the state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) as illegal and a fraud that cannot stand.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) recalls that Honour Sirawo, the National President of the association had announced the dissolution of the Alebiosu-led executives in the state based on a fall out between him and the south west chapter.
The south-west chapter of the association had in a communique alleged Sirawo of gross abuse of office, having arbitrarily issued suspension and expulsion to members without recourse to constitutional provisions.
Sirawo had constituted a caretaker committee for the state as against the provisions of the association’s statutes which vested the power of constituting such in the hands of the congress and full council of the association.
Alebiosu said that the purported election held by some non-members in connivance with the NUJ and Sirawo was a kangaroo aimed at creating crisis in the state chapter.
“Look at the congress we are having here now and think of those who can be with them over there. Here we have NAN, BCOS, NTA, Inspiration FM, Daily Trust, Thisday, AIT, 32 FM, Tribune and lot of others.
“The NUJ executive in the state led by Adewunmi Faniran is only conniving with Sirawo and some non-members to turn the association into an annexe of FRCN,” he said.
The chairman said that the majority of members representing recognised media organisations are fully in support of my leadership, saying any activity going on elsewhere was illegal.
He said that for anyone to attain full membership of the association such individual must have demonstrated active reportage of sports activities in a year as provided by the statutes.
Alebiosu urged the public and other sports stakeholders to be wary of transacting any business with them.
NAN reports that the congress which was attended by no fewer than 30 members of the association re-affirm their support for the Alebiosu-led executives in the state.(NAN)
