Joel Ajayi
The Chairman of the Imo State Cricket Association, Hon. Rodney Tony Ajaelu, has categorically distanced himself and the association from a controversial petition allegedly authored by one Pakribo Telema-Darego, who falsely claims to be the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Cricket Association.
The petition in question, reportedly addressed to the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), and the National Assembly, alleges a plot to manipulate the forthcoming Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) board elections. It claims that the process is being orchestrated to favour certain individuals, thereby excluding legitimate stakeholders and aspirants from contesting.
The petition, allegedly signed by Pakribo Telema-Darego, claimed that four states—Bayelsa, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo—had jointly submitted a formal protest to the NSC. The complaint centers around the alleged adoption of an “illegal” constitution purportedly designed to give undue advantage to the incumbent NCF President, Uyi Akpata.
However, in a swift and clear rebuttal, Hon. Rodney Tony Ajaelu disassociated himself and the Imo State Cricket Association from any such action.
In his statement, he said: “I, Hon. Rodney Tony Ajaelu, the Chairman of the Imo State Cricket Association, disassociate myself from any written petition against the NSC or Uyi Akpata on the issue of an illegal constitution. This serves as a disclaimer to such petition. Thanks for understanding.”
In addition, when Reporter contacted the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Musa Ehiozoje, confirmed that the only valid petition before the federation originated from the FCT Cricket Association, chaired by Engr. Emeka Onyeama.
He emphasized that no formal petition had been received from Bayelsa State and dismissed Pakribo Telema-Darego as an impostor with no official standing in the cricketing community.
Media reports published on Monday, 25th August 2025, further confirmed that only the FCT Cricket Association had officially submitted a petition to the NSC.
The reports also highlighted that the name of Bayelsa was falsely used by an unauthorized individual claiming to represent the state’s cricket association..