Activities at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure, were thrown into disruption on Tuesday as sports stakeholders staged a protest against the appointment of Mrs Evelyn Lebi as Acting General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council.
The demonstrators, including union leaders, coaches, and athletes, argued that the appointment would not advance sports development in the state.
Coach Fisayo Bello, Coordinating Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), said that sports in Ondo State was already in a “comatose” state and needed a competent technocrat to revive it.
“We need someone with a real passion for sports who can take us back to our glory days, not backwards. Lebi contested four years ago, we opposed her then, and we oppose her now,” Bello said.
Osifo Moses, Vice Chairman of AUPCTRE in the state and a boxing coach, added that the council required a reputable and committed individual for the leadership position.
The Chairman of the Ondo State Professional Coaches Association, Joshua Ogunbiyi, clarified that the protest was not directed at Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, whom he praised for his commitment to sports development, but against the selection of Lebi.
Ogunbiyi alleged that Lebi’s previous tenure at the council caused tension among staff and that stakeholders had repeatedly expressed doubts about her competence.
“At this stage, sports is not moving forward. We want a vibrant, capable general manager who can revive development in the sector,” Ogunbiyi said.
“A person like Lebi has contested for this role multiple times, and we have made it clear that she is not suitable. We are not against the governor appointing someone who can improve sports, but we do not consider her the right choice,” he added.
Idowu Afun, General Captain of Ondo State Athletes, also called on the government to select a qualified and energetic leader for the council.
Reacting to the protest, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Henry Omoyofunmi, described the demonstration as “unusual” and unjustified.
Omoyofunmi stressed that Lebi is a qualified professional with more than 15 years of service at the Sports Council and currently serves as Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
“She was redeployed following the end of the former general manager’s tenure. The Head of Service posted an accounting officer to the council, and there is no reason for that to be challenged,” the commissioner said.
He added that the protesters were likely influenced by unknown forces and insisted that Lebi’s appointment would support, rather than hinder, the repositioning of the state’s sports sector.