From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Stakeholders in Nasarawa’s football community have leveled grave accusations against the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. They accuse the ministry of purposeful sabotage, hindering Nasarawa United’s progression towards the elite Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
According to Ibrahim Abdullahi Osanga, a former club chairman, there have been deliberate obstructions orchestrated by the ministry, specifically targeting the current board’s efforts to advance the club’s competitive standing.
“The ministry, particularly Permanent Secretary Isaac Danladi, is actively impeding the chairman’s initiatives, seemingly aiming for failure to regain control over the club,” Osanga asserted in an interview.
Osanga expressed concern, fearing a replication of the obstacles he faced during his tenure. “Their intention is to frustrate Prof. Othman, the current chairman,” he added.
Highlighting one troubling incident, Osanga mentioned the Ministry’s failure to release funds for an away match in Bauchi, causing logistical chaos. “Players were left stranded near forests at night, forced to spend it in a substandard, unaffordable hotel,” he detailed, emphasising the Ministry’s obstructionism.
Despite the governor’s approval of a ten-match plan for the club, Osanga pointed out a stark contradiction between the Ministry’s actions and the government’s support for Nasarawa United.
Seeking intervention, Osanga appealed to Governor Abdullahi Sule, urging him to step in and curb the Ministry’s actions to safeguard Nasarawa United from further harm.
Moreover, a source close to the present management who do not want his name in print alleged financial misappropriation, claiming, “Of the approved N3.2 million for players, only a fraction reached them, while the rest disappeared into certain Ministry officials’ pockets.”
However, in response, the Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Jafaru Ango, in a WhatsApp Text message, refuted the allegations as baseless rumors.
“Maybe you don’t know me very well. And I don’t attend to all these unsubstantiated rumours. And that I diverted money meant for players? Is it how they are operating? And whose account Nasarawa United money goes to?” he asked.