By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
The Benue State House of Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Hyacinth Dajo, has summoned the management of Lobi Stars headed by the Executive Vice Chairman to appear before it to account for funds given to the team in the just ended 2023/2024 season.
The summon was issued at the plenary session on Tuesday when Rt. Hon. Cephas Dyako, representing Konshisha State Constituency moved a motion calling the House attention to earlier invitations extended to Mr. Dominic Iorfa by the House Sports Committee to which, he consistently declined and did not respond in any form.
Hon. Dyako averred that, “the management of Lobi Stars football club has not been transparent. A situation which led to the team’s dismal finish in the league after superlative beginning in the 2023/2024 season”.
“Honourable Members, if this House does not intervene, Lobi Stars’ may be relegated, rendering useless, the huge government investments in the club”, Hon. Dyako said.
He said Iorfa’s refusal to honour the House Committee’s invitations to clear grey areas in the management of the club and put to rest, concerns of the Benue public, gave rise to the motion on the floor of the House.
The motion was seconded by Hon. Peter Ipusu, Katsina-Ala West State Constituency, who noted with regret that, given Mr. Iorfa’s status and pedigree in football, the huge financial support from government, there was no basis for the end-of-the-season’s lackluster finish in the league.
“The dramatic drop of the team from the top spot and eventually out of continental contention promised the people of the state is distressing. Mr. Iorfa and the entire management of the club should come and explain to the people of the state what led to the last minute’s dip in performances.
Hon. Isaac Ochekliye, representing Ohimini State Constituency, bemoaned what is happening with Lobi Stars’ despite adequate fundings and a sound personality of Mr. Iorfa’s status managing the club, adding that urgent measures needs to be taken to save the club from eventual relegation.
A five-man committee was set up to find the immediate and remote causes of the end-of-season dismal performance of Lobi Stars and the refusal of the Executive Vice Chairman to appear before the House Committee on Sports.
