Dauda refutes ‘step down’ claims

Category: Sports Published on Tuesday, 26 February 2013 05:00

Handball Federation of Nigerian (HFN), President of the Yusuf Dauda has refuted claims that he has stepped won to run for the office in the coming election in April.

In a statement made available to Daily Trusts, Dauda said he was alarmed to read stories in the newspaper (not Daily Trust) that he had decided not to contest when his tenure expires in April at a stakeholder meeting held in Lagos.

“We never had any stakeholder meeting in Lagos but a meeting between me and former president, Mark Jacob. After the discussion, he told me that he was going to meet with his group before taking any decision and I also told him that I had people who I will consult with.

“I am surprised to see the stories in some newspapers that I had accepted the decision of the stakeholders not to go a second time. I must say that this is false because I never told him that. Also, the press release did not emanate from my office as stated in it.

“Some weeks back, I was told that there was a stakeholders meeting in Abuja after a veterans’ game between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) team and Niger State. I decided to attend and I used the opportunity to clear the air on so many issues and that was when those who have been critical of my administration had a change of heart.

“They also agreed that I and Jacob should meet to trash out our differences and we met in Lagos where we did not reach any agreement. I am surprised that a release was purportedly issued from my office to announce my decision not to contest in the April polls.

He described the publication as cheap blackmail intended to embarrass him. He also expressed disappointment over the publication noting that he didn’t expect that from someone who was aspiring to be on the board of a federation.