By Bashir Bello, Abuja.
The 2026 National Triennial Delegates Congress of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) ended in Kaduna on Friday with the election and inauguration of a new National Executive Council to steer the affairs of the association for the next three years.
The elections, held on August 28, brought to a close activities at the congress, which provided delegates from across the country an opportunity to review the affairs of the association and determine its leadership for another term.
Incumbent President, Isaiah Kemje Benjamin (JP), was returned for a second term after emerging unopposed, while only two positions — Deputy President at the national level and Vice President for the North-East Zone, required voting.
The contest for Deputy President was between Nyong Bonny Silas of Akwa Ibom State and Chigozie Chukwuleta of Anambra State.
At the end of voting, Nyong secured 21 votes to defeat Chukwuleta, who polled 14 votes. One ballot was declared void, bringing the total number of ballots cast in the contest to 36.
The North-East vice-presidential election was also decided by delegates from the zone, with Samuel Gangwaja of Adamawa State defeating Ahmed Kagana Amshi of Yobe State. The latter was the incumbent but could not return.
Gangwaja polled four votes, while Amshi received two votes to hand the Adamawa candidate the mandate to represent the North-East on the SWAN National Executive Council.
The remaining positions were uncontested, making the election largely a ratification exercise outside the two contests.
Benjamin’s return gives him another three years to build on the programmes of his first tenure, which began following his emergence as SWAN President in 2023.
Other officers elected alongside him are Ikenna Okonkwo as Secretary General, Samuel Ahmadu as Deputy Secretary General, Amusan Olufemi Ayorinde as Treasurer and Ijeoma Nwante as Financial Secretary.
At the zonal level, Gangwaja will serve as Vice President, North-East; Zaharadeen Saleh as Vice President, North-West; Azuka Chiemeka as Vice President, South-South; Ikemefuna Asika as Vice President, South-East; and Ayodeji Ogunsakin as Vice President, South-West.
Following the conclusion of the election, the newly elected officials were sworn into office by Sir Ben Churchill Aniekwena Esq of Juris Consults, Kaduna State.
The inauguration formally marked the beginning of another three-year tenure for the Benjamin-led administration, with the President identifying members’ welfare as one of the major areas that would receive attention.
Speaking shortly after taking the oath of office, Benjamin thanked SWAN members for the confidence reposed in him and promised that the new administration would work for the collective interest of sports journalists across the country.
“The welfare of our members will remain a priority for this administration,” Benjamin said.
“We appreciate the confidence our members have shown in us. This is another opportunity to serve, and we understand the responsibility that comes with that confidence.
“We will continue to work towards an association where the interests and welfare of our members are protected.
“We also want to strengthen SWAN and ensure that our members are better positioned to discharge their professional responsibilities.”
The President also called for unity after the elections, stressing that the conclusion of the congress should mark the beginning of collective work by members irrespective of the choices made during the voting.
According to him, the task before the new executive would require cooperation from state chapters, zones and individual members.
With the elections and inauguration completed, attention will now shift from the politics of the congress to the performance of the new leadership.
Full List of Elected SWAN Officials
President: Isaiah Kemje Benjamin (JP)
Deputy President: Nyong Bonny Silas
Secretary General: Ikenna Okonkwo
Deputy Secretary General: Samuel Ahmadu
Treasurer: Amusan Olufemi Ayorinde
Financial Secretary: Ijeoma Nwante
Vice Presidents:
North-East: Samuel Gangwaja
North-West: Zaharadeen Saleh
South-South: Azuka Chiemeka
South-East: Ikemefuna Asika
South-West: Ayodeji Ogunsakin
