By Amos Aar
SOME groups on Tuesday protested before Governor Hyacinth Alia against the vice chairman (VC) of Lobi Stars Football Club, Makurdi, Mr Dominic Iorfa, at Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi and called for his sack from the position.
During a meeting of Lobi Stars stakeholders across Benue State and beyond organised by the club’s chairman and deputy governor of the state, Sam Ode, at the instance of the governor to brainstorm on the progress of the club, the protesters carried placards with different inscriptions like, “Iorfa where is our salaries”, “Iorfa must go”, Iorfa is a chronic gambler” and many others.
Although the two groups were divided into anti-Iorfa and the pro-Iorfa, the anti-Iorfa group however had more members and with a louder voice shouting for the removal of the veteran of the Super Eagles.
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Governor Hyacinth Alia, who expressed worry that the Lobi Stars house was not in order despite acknowledging that many matches have been won to rescue the club from relegation, asked the players and stakeholders to bare their minds to enable him to take appropriate decision.
“Lobi Stars has recorded a lot of wins. But along the line, remember if a house has a lot of internal grumblings and instability, do not expect a good outing”, Alia asserted.
While the club’s captain, Daniel Atsaka, scored Dominic Iorfa for taking Lobi Stars out of relegation and for paying salaries up to date, other stakeholders including coach Godwin Uwua and coach Moses Kpakor accused Iorfa of not carrying the stakeholders and players along and allegedly talking to them anyhow.
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“What we want is that, change Dominic Iorfa”, Uwua said boldly as his fans campaigned for him behind with loud voices that, “Uwua is good for that position”.
On his part, Coach Moses Kpakor, also a veteran Super Eagles player, campaigned for himself bluntly, saying Lobi Stars which has reached 42 years of existence and is one of the best clubs should not be fighting relegation, adding that he will do far better if given Iorfa’s position.
“When teams are fighting to represent Nigeria in continental competitions for the past sixteen years, Lobi Stars is fighting relegation and this club is one of the best on earth.
“I have a good pedigree, I have the experience, I have all it takes. As a former player, I will have a very cordial relation with my colleagues because I was once a player. I know the psychology of players; I know the challenges they face. I was a midfielder and I was also a coach.
“So, if you give me this job, I will …”, Kpakor was not allowed to complete the statement as people bust into noise, rendering the meeting rowdy as he ended up campaigning for himself.
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After listening to all the speakers, Governor Alia fixed Monday, August 28, 2023 for the players and stakeholders to reconvene at Aper Aku stadium at 5pm to round up the conversation.
Meanwhile, the governor promised to set up a 5-man committee to be headed by the speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon Aondona Dajoh, to comb all the anxieties and give the report to him. “Then, on Monday, 4pm, I will tell you my result”, the governor assured.
