Just-In: Benjamin Re-elected SWAN President, Nyong, Nwante Emerge In National Executive ‎ ‎

‎ ‎ ‎The 2026 National Triennial Delegates Congress of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) ended in Kaduna on Friday with the re-election of Isaiah Benjamin (JP) as National President and the inauguration of a new National Executive Council to steer the affairs of the association for another three years.

‎ ‎The election, held today, August 28, brought to a close the congress, which provided delegates from across the country an opportunity to review the activities of the association and elect a new leadership for the next tenure. ‎ ‎Benjamin, the incumbent president, was returned unopposed for a second term, while voting was required for only two positions: Deputy President and Vice President, North-East Zone. ‎ ‎In the contest for Deputy President, Nyong Bonny Silas of Akwa Ibom State defeated Chigozie Chukwuleta of Anambra State by 21 votes to 14. ‎ One ballot was declared void, bringing the total number of votes cast to 36. ‎ ‎The North-East Vice Presidential contest also produced a new occupant, as Samuel Gangwaja of Adamawa State defeated the incumbent, Ahmed Kagana Amshi of Yobe State. ‎ ‎Gangwaja polled four votes against Amshi’s two to secure the mandate to represent the North-East Zone on the national executive council. ‎ ‎The remaining positions were unoppose, making the exercise largely a ratification of the candidates nominated for the respective offices. ‎ ‎Other members of the new national executive include Ikenna Okonkwo, Secretary-General; Samuel Ahmadu, Deputy Secretary-General; Amusan Olufemi Ayorinde, Treasurer; and Ijeoma Peter-Nwante, Financial Secretary. ‎ ‎At the zonal level, Gangwaja will serve as Vice President, North-East; Zaharadeen Saleh, Vice President, North-West; Azuka Chiemeka, Vice President, South-South; Ikemefuna Asika, Vice President, South-East; and Ayodeji Ogunsakin, Vice President, South-West. ‎ ‎Following the conclusion of the election, the newly elected officers were sworn into office by Sir Ben Churchill Aniekwena, Esq., of Juris Consults, Kaduna State. ‎ ‎The inauguration formally commenced another three-year tenure for the Benjamin-led administration, with the re-elected president identifying members’ welfare as a major priority of his second term. ‎ ‎Speaking shortly after taking the oath of office, Benjamin thanked members for the confidence reposed in his leadership and pledged that the new administration would work in the collective interest of sports journalists across the country. ‎ ‎He said the welfare of members would remain a priority while also promising to strengthen the association and enhance the capacity of sports journalists to discharge their professional responsibilities effectively. ‎ ‎Benjamin also called for unity among members, urging them to put the politics of the election behind them and work together for the growth and development of SWAN. ‎ ‎According to him, the success of the new administration would require the cooperation of state chapters, zonal structures and individual members. ‎ ‎