Just Go…16 years enough, Orbih tells Gumel

It appears that Nigeria Olympic Committee ( NOC) will have a new president in the election stated for next week in Jalingo, Taraba State judging by the summation of Francis Orbih, the President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, reports www.totorinews.com.

Speaking to the media at the on – going Delta 22 national sports festival in Asaba, Orbih vehemently opposed Engr. Habu Gumel, who is seeking to be re- elected as the NOC President for the 5th term, as he noted that 16 years is enough to achieve all the plans he mapped out from his first day in office. 

He further said Gumel deserved to be appreciated for what he achieved for Nigeria’s sports all through the years, but it is time to have a breath of fresh air at the NOC.

“For people who have been there for so long we appreciate what they have done and we cant say they have not done anything they have tried very much, but we feel it is time to step aside and leave the stage so that other people can come and try something new,” Orbih said.

“So, we need a kind of breath of fresh air. Lets change the place and lets see how we can do better from what we have  done in the past. So, i can tell you for free that is where i stand and that is where i belong.

 “And i dont believe in over staying once welcome there is no need, if you stayed, you have contributed your quota and people appreciate what you have done and its time to leave. Its always good to leave when the ovation is loudest.

“Well, if the person insist on leaving office  then we will go there and do what we need to do. See, change is one thing that is constant, so, if it is time to change, then we must make it happen. 

“The current president has been there for 16 years and he wants to go for another four years which will make it 20 years. 

“For me, if you stay in a place for 16 years, i think its more than enough time for you to carry out and do whatever plans you have for the place and if after 16 years, there is nothing new that you are going to do anymore and thats the truth. 

“Unfortunately, we are in a place where people are shy from speaking the truth, that shy away from standing for what is right and i can tell you for free that i am not one of those.
“If i believe in something,  i will stand and even if am the only one i will stand and prosperity will judge all of us.

“The current president is over 70 years and the constitution of NOC says “once you are 70 you should retire” and he has retired from NOC, but he was appointed an honourary member. 

“He does not have a vote and he does not have any say in the decision making for IOC.Nigeria is too big to be left out. We should be in the room when decisions are been taken in NOC,” he concluded.