We’ll comply with all conditions to reopen IBB Club, members assure Wike

Some members of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja have appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to consider reopening the club, following weeks of closure due to a leadership crisis. Their appeal came after a week-long petition signing exercise held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, […]

Some members of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja have appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to consider reopening the club, following weeks of closure due to a leadership crisis.

Their appeal came after a week-long petition signing exercise held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, where over 2,000 members supported the call for reopening.

The initiative, which ended over the weekend, was led by a committee formed by the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) under the leadership of AVM B.D Solomon, with full backing from NGF President, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe.

The crisis, which forced the postponement of the club’s 2025 Annual General Meeting and elections, prompted Wike’s intervention. On April 5, he appointed the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, as the new Chairman of the Club’s Board of Trustees (BoT), replacing Gen. IBM Haruna. Several new BoT members were also appointed, while former trustees were made patrons.

However, three dissenting members secured an interim court order on April 24, restraining the minister’s appointees from presiding over the club’s affairs. In response, Wike set up a ten-member Interim Management Committee (IMC) chaired by Peter Deshi. The club has since been under tight security, with only essential personnel allowed entry.

Despite the legal setback, many members have declared their support for the minister’s efforts and called for a swift resolution.

Iyabo Adebola noted that the members’ appeal highlights the need for a quick resolution to the crisis and the reopening of the club, which is a vital recreational and social hub in Abuja

Adebola said the members were willing to comply with the minister’s conditions for reopening, noting they were not part of the legal action taken against him.

“We are appealing to the FCT Minister to kindly consider our request to reopen the IBB International Golf and Country club for the fact that we are not part of the few persons who took legal action against him.

“We have come to agree that the club is owned by the government, and we are ready to abide by the Minister’s conditions for the reopening of the club.

“We have been fully briefed by the NGF President about the minister’s good intentions and support for the club.”

Nuhu Ahmad stressed that the petition signing exercise is seen as a positive step towards resolving the ongoing leadership crisis that led to the club’s closure.

Ahmad also assured that the members were willing to abide by the minister’s conditions and acknowledge government ownership of the club.

“The reopening of the club is not just fundamental for our health, but also our social network and the camaraderie we share amongst ourselves as members.

“We agree with the Minister that it won’t be business as usual as there will be a strict compliance with regards to club membership.

“We also thank the BOT Chairman and the board members for their display of maturity and respect for the law of the land.”

Matta Ushani said that reopening the club would have a positive impact on the community, providing a space for socialization, leisure, and sports.

A.U. Bala said the closure had affected the welfare of members, who are eager to resume their activities and social events, as well as enjoy the club’s facilities.

Pius James, on his part, said that the members were hopeful of finding a resolution to the crisis and restoring the club to its usual operations.

James said the members were optimistic about the Minister’s intentions and are eager to resume club activities.