By Queen Kunde
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s gymnastics community have strongly condemned what they described as a campaign of blackmail by the President of the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN), Kelvin Erhunmwunse, against the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade.
They accused the embattled GFN president of attempting to divert public attention from his disputed third-term election, which they said was marred by malpractice, exclusion, and gender bias.
According to credible sources within the sport, Mr. Erhunmwunse’s recent media attacks on the NSC DG are a “reactionary smear campaign” following the Commission’s refusal to endorse what many stakeholders have called a sham election.
The controversial poll reportedly sidelined key constituencies, including the National Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS), the Nigeria Association for Physical and Health Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (NAPHER-SD), and the Paramilitary constituency an action stakeholders said violated the democratic framework of the Federation.
Prominent sports administrator and gymnastics stakeholder, Omowunmi Olalere, described Erhunmwunse’s accusations against the NSC as “ironic and hypocritical.”
“It is both ironic and hypocritical for a man who conducted a kangaroo election that silenced women and constitutional representatives to accuse the Sports Commission of interference,” Olalere said. “This is a calculated blackmail meant to pressure the DG into legitimizing an election that has already lost credibility.”
Stakeholders praised Hon. Bukola Olopade for his steadfast commitment to transparency, fairness, and reform in sports governance, saying his insistence on credible and inclusive elections across all federations aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to restore integrity to Nigeria’s sports institutions.
They urged the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), international gymnastics bodies, and all sports-loving Nigerians to stand behind the NSC as it works to restore due process and accountability in Nigerian sports.
“Gymnastics in Nigeria can only thrive under transparent leadership and credible governance—not under blackmail and manipulation,” the statement added. “The DG’s stand for integrity must be commended, not attacked.”