All eyes will be on the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) today as the federation faces one of its biggest tests in an election that could make or mar Nigeria’s participation in the forthcoming 2025 World Championship in Tokyo in September.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, 2025 elections have become a test of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles, unfolding against the backdrop of June 12, a day set aside to celebrate democracy and the nation’s hard-fought journey toward fair governance.

June 12 is more than just a date—it symbolises transparency, justice, and the will of the people. It commemorates the historic 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest, yet annulled by military rule.

The irony is striking: as Nigeria marks 26 years of uninterrupted democracy, the AFN elections are plagued by constitutional violations, lack of transparency, and external interference—issues that threaten the very ideals June 12 represents.

The AFN Constitution (2023, as amended)—which was meant to serve as the foundation for a fair election—has been repeatedly disregarded by the federation’s leadership.
One of the major concerns is the improper convening of the congress where the constitution was adopted. The AFN tagged it an extraordinary congress, yet failed to adhere to the constitutional requirement of 15 working days’ notice before holding such a meeting.

Similarly, the April 10, 2025 congress, where the electoral committee was set up, did not follow due process, as delegates were not given the required documentation within the stipulated timeframe. This alone renders the decisions taken at the congress legally questionable.

Further violations include the appointment of a seven-member electoral body, despite the constitution clearly stipulating a three-member committee. The process of selecting these members also failed to follow constitutional guidelines, as the AFN board did not submit a proposal to the congress, raising concerns about transparency.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) advised that the elections be postponed, yet this decision was not ratified by the electoral committee, which holds the authority to make such determinations.

This led to the annulment of the athletes’ representative election, conducted during the 22nd National Sports Festival—a move that was carried out by the AFN itself rather than the electoral committee.

Adding to the controversy, the elections were postponed to July after the board’s scheduled inauguration on June 12. This delay effectively prevents the athletes’ representative from contesting leadership positions, such as president or vice president, raising concerns about fairness, something World Athletics strongly opposes.

The NSC has also taken over the roles of the petition and appeals committee, despite the AFN constitution granting this authority to the electoral committee. Additionally, the clearance of a candidate who was declared bankrupt by a U.S. court has further cast doubt on the credibility of the elections.

With multiple irregularities, violations, and external interventions, the AFN 2025 elections have become a subject of intense scrutiny, with stakeholders calling for urgent corrective measures to restore integrity to the process.