Mr. Gabriel Okon from Akwa Ibom State emerged victorious in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) South-South Zonal Election held today in Benin, securing the position with 4 votes. He triumphed over his closest contender, Mr. Itiako Ikpokpo from Delta State, in a keenly contested race.
The election, supervised by Sir Braveman Wordi, the designated electoral official, saw delegates from the six South-South states—Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River—cast their votes to determine the zonal leadership.
Key stakeholders, including the Zonal Secretary of the National Sports Commission South-South, Mr. Peter Njoku, were present at the event. Njoku praised the election as free and fair, commending the electoral officials for ensuring a smooth and transparent process.
Sir Braveman Wordi also lauded the contestants for their maturity and understanding throughout the process, thanking them for their unwavering support for athletics development in the South-South zone.
In his victory speech, Mr. Gabriel Okon expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him by the delegates. He pledged to collaborate with fellow contestants and stakeholders to advance athletics across the region.
“I am committed to promoting unity and ensuring that the South-South continues to produce top-tier athletes. This victory is not mine alone—it is a collective step forward for sports in our region,” Okon declared.