NJF promises fair elections for judo stakeholders

The Caretaker Committee of the Nigeria Judo Federation has promised all stakeholders that the upcoming federation elections will be fair, open and credible. The Committee said it would stay independent and neutral during this transition period.

Committee Chairman, Sheriff Hammed, shared this in a statement responding to recent comments and reports about the panel’s activities and its role.

He mentioned that while the Committee functions under the National Sports Commission, it will act independently and prioritize the best interests of Nigerian judo.

"The Caretaker Committee is not a mouthpiece for any individual, group or interest, nor is it a platform for advancing personal or political agendas," the statement said in part.

The Committee acknowledged it received complaints about some people linked to the former board. However, it emphasized that no personal interests or preconceived notions would sway the process. It promised that transparency, fairness, due process and equal opportunity would guide every decision.

To ensure fairness, the Committee stated that all qualified and interested candidates could get nomination forms and run, as long as they met the eligibility requirements in the NJF Statutes and other governance rules. It added that no candidate would be excluded due to personal disagreements or affiliations outside the set rules.

The Committee also cautioned against any attempts to disrupt or manipulate the process. It warned that anyone found to have broken the rules or compromised the integrity of the elections could face sanctions, including disqualification if legally justified.

The Committee called on state associations, athletes, coaches, referees and other members of the judo community to support a peaceful and orderly transition.

"We urge all parties to pursue their interests through the appropriate channels, respect established procedures and refrain from actions that could harm the credibility of the electoral process," the statement added.

The Committee emphasized that its main focus is on strengthening accountability, restoring confidence in the federation and building a strong foundation for the future of Nigerian judo.