The National Executive Council, NEC of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN has warned its members to stop dealing with Isaiah Benjamin, the impeached President.
This decision was raised during the virtual NEC meeting of the Association presided over by the President, Otuekong Bonny Nyong yesterday.
Nyong in a communique endorsed by the Chairman communique drafting committee - Azuka Chiemeka, the Secretary - Muhammad Mansour Ibrahim and a member - Seun Ajayi Obe formally welcomed the recently appointed Deputy President, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, to his first NEC meeting.
According to the communique, after exhaustive deliberations on pending issues aimed at ensuring the progress of the Association, NEC resolved that Isaiah Benjamin remains impeached.
It further read: "The NEC admonished that no one should deal with him as the president of SWAN any longer.
"Peter Abaje-led executive is the only officially recognised SWAN leadership in Rivers State, calls on the Rivers State Government and other stakeholders to give them support and cooperation.
"Olatutu Oladunni-led executive is the only officially recognised SWAN leadership in Lagos State and calls on the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders to give them support and cooperation."
The Association also recognized the Caretaker Committee in Gombe State, with an election to take place when all requirements relating to the provisions of SWAN Statutes have been complied with.
The body warned that the Kano State chapter of SWAN should not constitute any frivolous committee for a 'Full Council Meeting as "It is the sole responsibility of the NEC to do so at the appropriate time."
NEC commended the Board of Trustees (BOT) for its efforts at ensuring a progressive Association and called on "State Chapters to ignore any directive, not emanating from the office of President Bonny Nyong as all such orders are null and void."
Meanwhile, the Association has suspended its Secretary General, Ikenna Okonkwo for misleading the public and refusing to take directives from the President.
"We suspend the Secretary-General, Ikenna Okonkwo, for misleading the public and refusing to take directives from the president, Otuekong Bonny Nyong," the communique added.
