A presidential aspirant in the upcoming elections of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Ahmed Gombe has called for the postponement of the electoral process.
Gombe made the call in honour of the twenty-two athletes, officials and journalists of the Kano State contingent who lost their lives in the unfortunate ghastly crash after participating in the just concluded National Sports Festival codenamed Gateway Games 2025 in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
The devastating incident which occurred on Saturday, about 50 kilometres from the historic city of Kano has left the nation and the Kano State in grief.
Gombe, who previously served as a Sports Advisor to a former governor of Kano State, described the incident as a national tragedy, emphasising that moving forward with the elections would be inappropriate given the circumstances.
“It is both insensitive and unjustified to proceed with the elections so soon after such a horrific loss,” he stated, expressing his dismay upon seeing an announcement for the elections just 24 hours after the incident.
Gombe therefore called for immediate action from the National Sports Commission (NSC) to halt the electioneering process in honour of the deceased persons.
He noted that the elections had already been postponed due to the National Sports Festival, stressing that continuing with it now shows lack of compassion for the victims and their families.
“The government must act to halt the electoral process, at least until the official mourning period, which according to Islamic tradition is seven days has passed,” he asserted.
He extended his deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident, stating, “This calls for mourning, not just in Kano State, but across Nigeria.”
Reflecting on the lives lost, he shared his personal connections with many athletes involved in the tragedy, expressing his grief and shock.
Gombe, who is the chairman of Gombe State Athletics Association urged everyone to recognise the fragility of life, praying, “May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
