Niger Sports Perm Sec Inaugurates Electoral, Appeal Committees for 2026 Local Football Council Elections
Niger Sports Perm Sec Inaugurates Electoral, Appeal Committees for 2026 Local Football Council Elections
By Abubakar Hassan
The Permanent Secretary, Niger State Ministry of Sports Development, Dr. Nuhu Garba Ngaski, has inaugurated members of the Electoral and Appeal Committees for the forthcoming 2026 Local Football Council elections across the 25 local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Ministry on Monday, Dr. Ngaski described the inauguration as a significant step toward strengthening grassroots football governance and consolidating democratic practices within the state’s football structure.
He noted that the formation of these committees demonstrates the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and effective leadership in grassroots football.
Dr. Ngaski commended the selection of committee members, describing them as individuals of high integrity and competence, emphasizing that their willingness to serve reflects a dedication to the growth and development of football at the local level and is essential for sustaining a credible electoral process.
He stressed that free, fair and credible elections at the council level would enhance football administration across the state, ensuring that decisions affecting clubs, players, and supporters are guided by professionalism and democratic principles. According to him, such credible leadership would ultimately translate into improved organization and talent development across Niger State.
The Permanent Secretary urged the committee members to operate strictly within the guidelines of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), while maintaining close collaboration with key stakeholders, including clubs, officials and football enthusiasts. He reminded them that impartiality, transparency and accountability must remain the watchwords in the conduct of the elections.
Dr. Ngaski assured the committees of the Ministry’s full support, pledging that the ministry would provide enabling environment for a smooth, credible and successful electoral exercise. He added that the members’ actions during the process would have a lasting impact on the future of football governance in the state.
Earlier, the Vice Chairman of the Niger State Football Association, Alhaji Yabagi Baba, who represented the Chairman, Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to strengthening democratic governance at the grassroots.
He explained that the democratization of the Local Government Football Councils dates back to 2010 and remains the operational framework of the Association, in line with NFF statutes which replaced the former appointment system with an elective process.
Alhaji Yabagi noted that each Local Government Football Council comprises a Chairman, Vice Chairman and three members responsible for piloting football affairs in their respective councils, adding that the Association has successfully conducted elections over the past twelve years, recording smooth transitions in the last eight years and sustaining the process in the most recent four-year cycle.
Alhaji Yabagi expressed optimism that the forthcoming elections would record even greater success with the active involvement of stakeholders. He emphasized that the inauguration of the Electoral and Appeal Committees marks another milestone in promoting transparency, accountability and credible leadership in grassroots football development across Niger State.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Comrade Barau Awaisu Kuta, who spoke on behalf of both committees, assured stakeholders of a transparent, free and fair process across the 25 local government areas.
He described the appointment as a great honour and expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in them, noting that members of the committees are individuals of proven integrity and competence.
Comrade Awaisu Kuta acknowledged the supervisory role of the Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the State Sports Commission, stating that the exercise would be conducted strictly in accordance with established guidelines. He further pledged that the committees would try to effectively manage any challenges that might arise, and would not disappoint in ensuring a credible and peaceful election.
The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by football stakeholders, officials of the Ministry of sports development, and members of the sports journalism community.
