By Uta Jikina Members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria go to the polls later today to elect a new exco following the expiration of the tenure of the current on headed by Isaiah Benjamin. The Mandate reports that the association’s Electoral Committee (SWANECO) headed by Hembadoon Orsar released the final list of candidates cleared to contest the association’s national election scheduled for Friday, August 28, 2026, in Kaduna. According to the list, released on Wednesday, August 26 by the committee features candidates for the offices of the President, Deputy President, Secretary General, Treasurer, Financial Secretary and the six zonal Vice President positions. Incumbent SWAN President, Isaiah Kemje Benjamin (JP), has been cleared to contest for the presidency. He is the only candidate listed for the position and will seek another term at the helm of the association. The Deputy President position is one of the two national offices on the list with two candidates. Nyong Bonny Silas and Chukwuleta Chigozie have both been cleared and will contest for the position when delegates cast their votes on Friday. For the office of Secretary General, incumbent Ikenna Okonkwo is the sole candidate cleared by SWANECO, while Amusan Olufemi Ayorinde is listed for the position of Treasurer. Ijeoma Nwante has also been cleared as the only candidate for Financial Secretary. SWANECO also confirmed candidates for the six zonal Vice President positions. The North East has two contestants, Ahmed Kagana Amshi and Samuel Gangwaja, making it another position where delegates will have a choice between two candidates. Zaharadeen Saleh was cleared for the North West Vice President position, while Azuka Chiemeka is the candidate for South South. Ikemefuna Asika will contest for the South East Vice President position, with Ayodeji Ogunsakin listed for South West. The election forms a major part of the 2026 SWAN Triennial National Delegates Congress holding in Kaduna from August 26 to 29. Delegates from SWAN chapters across the country are expected to participate in the congress, with the election determining the national leadership that will run the affairs of the association for the next tenure. With most of the positions having single candidates, attention is expected to focus particularly on the contests for Deputy President and North East Vice President, where two candidates were cleared for each office. The Kaduna congress is being held under the theme, “Harnessing the Power of Sports and the Media for National Development, Youth Empowerment and Global Competitiveness.”

Posted: 2months ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 18 October 2026