The IBB International Golf and Country Club, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious sporting and social facilities, has been gripped by a protracted leadership crisis, marked by legal battles, government intervention, internal dissent, and an eventual shutdown of operations.

The conflict began over the appointment of a new Board of Trustees (BoT) and the proposed amendment of the club’s constitution. Tensions escalated when the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, dissolved the existing BoT led by Gen. IBM Haruna (rtd) and announced a new one on April 5, 2025, chaired by Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal.

Other new appointees included Otunba Segun Runsewe, Mrs. Grace Ihonvbere, S.I. Ameh (SAN), Hamid Abbo, Admiral Victor Adedipe (rtd), Chief Patrick Chidolue, Mr. Ben Ikokwu, and Adumu Suleiman. The outgoing BoT members, including Gen. Haruna, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Dr. Tim Menakaya, and Amb. Babagana Kingibe, were reassigned as Patrons.

Wike justified the overhaul as necessary “to restore order and efficiency,” stressing that “the IBB Golf Club remains the property of the Federal Government through the FCT Administration.”

Dissatisfied with the minister’s intervention, three members of the club — Ubong Esop Akpan, Tijani Abdulsalam Ogueyi, and Olalere Babasola — approached the Federal High Court in Abuja. On April 24, they secured an interim injunction restraining Minister Wike from inaugurating the new BoT or allowing Justice Dongban-Mensem to preside over the club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) originally scheduled for April 26.

This legal action set off a chain of events that paralysed the club’s governance.

In response to the lawsuit and rising tensions, the ‘outgoing’ Club Captain Ibrahim Alhassan Babayo issued a notice postponing the AGM and elections indefinitely

“Kindly be informed that in view of the closure of the club, the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Elections slated for 26th April 2025 are hereby postponed till further notice.”

The FCT Minister subsequently shut down the club entirely and constituted a ten-member Interim Management Committee (IMC) led by Dr. Peter Deshi with Mr. Yomi Oyelola as secretary. Other members included Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye, Arc. Nanwor Mamven, Mrs. Ekanem Ekwueme, Arc. Arabi Bello, Lawan Aboki, Okey Nnaedozie, Fred Otobo, and Julius Fadairo.

Their mandate was to audit the club’s finances, ensure operational compliance, and reposition the club to meet international standards.

On the day of the planned AGM, security forces including operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) sealed off the club, reportedly to prevent an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).

Club Captain Babayo, in a statement, decried the situation “For the first time, we are facing an unexpected and unfortunate situation.”

He accused a “small group with vested interests” of trying to derail the club’s progress but assured members that “All necessary legal steps will be taken to ensure the Board of Trustees vacancies are properly filled.”

Amid the legal wrangling and public controversy, Justice Dongban-Mensem appealed to the Minister for immediate intervention

“The club needs urgent intervention to align with the renewed hope agenda… It can be part of the tourism sector and will also improve the status of Nigeria within the comity of nations.”

In the wake of the shutdown, over 2,000 members of the club mobilized at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, signing a petition urging the FCT Minister to reopen the club. The exercise, coordinated by a committee led by AVM B.D. Solomon, demonstrated growing frustration among the general membership.

The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) President, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, reinforced these sentiments and expressed hope for reconciliation.

Visiting the club for the first time amid the crisis, Wike reiterated his commitment to reforming the IBB Club and fending off what he described as sabotage.

“We will not allow anybody to take what belongs to the federal government. No amount of blackmail will change me. If anyone moves to sabotage me, I will take you out.”

During his visit, Wike caused a stir when he abruptly removed Chief Patrick Chidolue from the club’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and named Senator Dan Ulasi, former PDP Chairman in Anambra State, as his replacement.

Wike explained that his decision was based on an intelligence report alleging that Chidolue was leaking internal BoT discussions to aggrieved members who had dragged the club to court over its leadership crisis.

In a twist of fate, Senator Dan Ulasi, Chidolue’s replacement, was present in the audience when the announcement was made—effectively witnessing his own appointment in real time.

After leaving Chidolue stunned and rooted to his seat, Wike in his characteristic bluntness, warned the remaining members of the BOT to play by the rule as every one of them was being monitored by the security agencies.

“If we see any move by any person to sabotage whatever we are doing there is nothing we can do than to take you out, you cannot be an enemy to the progress of what we are doing. Some of you, sometimes you play like politicians; your leg is here and your leg is there. No, you can’t do that.

“Those who took us to court, if l see you romancing with them, or you give them information, I will take you out. I don’t see anything hidden about that and you should know that. Because I have pointed out to those security to monitor all of you who will come into meeting, record whatever we have discussed and go and give it back to those who are in court with us. Then you are an enemy who does not want the progress of this place,” he said.

As of now, the club remains under indefinite closure, with security personnel guarding the premises. Entry is restricted to essential staff, including security and groundskeepers, and even IMC members are subjected to identification checks.

The FCTA’s position remains clear: governance must be restructured, accountability enforced, and the club repositioned as a top-tier facility. Meanwhile, the broader membership is eager for reconciliation, reopening, and restoration of normalcy.

Meanwhile, the club members have thanked Wike and the Board of Trustees (BOT) for efforts to reopen the club after its temporary closure for renovations with Otunba Runsewe lauding Wike as a “Golf Legend” for intervening, citing a successful petition signed by over 2,000 members.

Runsewe confirmed plans for stricter security, member profiling, and youth development post-reopening. The renovations aim to enhance facilities for over 5,000 members and restore the club’s prestige.