…Dr Aghedo now Acting Chairman
The game seemed to be over for Comrade Roland Abu as Chairman, Edo State Football Association (EFA) following the ratification of his suspension from office by the EFA board over allegations bothering on high-handedness, corruption among other issues raised against him by the Board.
Comrade Roland Abu was suspended from office as EFA Chairman on April 17, 2023, following a vote of no confidence passed on him by members of the Edo FA Board, and his Vice Dr Moses Aghedo was immediately promoted to step in as Acting Chairman.
The decision for the ratification of Comrade Abu’s suspension was taken on Tuesday May 2, 2023, during the EFA Congress held at the media center, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
The Edo FA Congress, consequently approved the Acting Chairmanship position of the Vice Chairman, Dr Moses Aghedo to subsist.
In a remark by Kindness Ohiowele, a member of the Edo FA, following the brief by the EFA Secretary, Andrew Unujiaga, on the matter, 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.
According to Ohiowele, “Somebody occupied the same position as Chairman before Abu, he was similarly impeached for similar offences with him (Abu) also supporting the move for the removal of Hon. Osaro Asemota as Chairman then. So, we expected him to learn from that experience but he didn’t. Abu’s administration lacked accountability.”
Ohiowele accused him of taking certain critical decisions alone against the wish of the Board. Ohiowele explained, adding that Comrade Roland Abu was invited to be given 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 Chairman which was seconded by Jimmy Aimuagbonrie of the Women Amateur League, which later received voice votes of other members in attendance.
Some other members present at the congress include Captain Amadin (Rtd), Coach Douglas Idahosa, Johnbull Edosonwan and Faith Ojega among others.
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 government,” he said.
