Why Similaye Pepple's Appointment As Director General of AFN Is Nullified - Ministry of Sports

  Why Similaye Pepple's Appointment As Director General of AFN Is Nullified - Ministry of Sports By Niyi Busari The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on Tuesday revealed that the appointment of Mr. Similaye Pepple as Director General of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria was ill-conceived and that was why it nullified the appointment, BSNSports.com.ng can report. In a statement released by the Ministry and made available to BSN Sports, it stated further that the action was taken to sanitize and restore order into smooth operation of the federation. The statement reads; "As part of Federal Government's effort to sanitize and restore order into the myriad of issues besetting the smooth operations of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the appointment of Mr. Similaye Young Pepple as Director-General of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has been nullified by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; which it considered illegal." The Ministry said it acted based on recommendation of the Panel of Inquiry on AFN matters set up to investigate certain misdeeds in the federation. "The Ministry in its capacity of supervisory role over the National Sports Federations under its purview, set up a Ministerial Panel of Inquiry On AFN issues to investigate certain misdeeds and proffer solutions going forward. To this end, acting upon the recommendations of the Panel, the Ministry hereby makes it categorically clear that the Statue of the AFN and the National Sports Federation Code of Governance 2017, does not provide for the position of Director-General in any of the enabling documents. Against this backdrop, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD) canceled and nullified the alleged appointment of Mr. Similaye Young Pepple as Director General of AFN, more so, not being supported by any extant laws or regulations whatsoever. The Code of Governance supports Secretary –General (who has already been duly appointed by the Ministry) and not the office of a Director General that dose not exist in the CODE OF GOVERNANCE. THE AFN, stakeholders and the general public is hereby advised to please note and any further transaction is at the individuals responsibility." The statement ends. Despite labelling him (Pepple) as impostor, Similaye Young Pepple who was appointed Director General of AFN in July 2020 is recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federation, IAAF as his name is displayed on their platform as the DG of AFN.