Sports Minister John Enoh,  asks Bash Alli to apologise or face legal action

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

Sports Minister, John Enoh, has told former World Boxing Champion, Bash Alli, to make a public apology within a week for making false claims against his person or face legal action.

The minister’s statement came as an allegation by Bash Alli, in an open letter to President Tinubu, demanding $1m from him in order to achieve his plans to stage what he calls the oldest boxers’ fight in Nigeria,

In the viral video after the chess master, Tunde Onakoya, recently broke the Guinness World Record for chess marathon, has the 68-year-old boxer said he could have equally put the name of the country on the world map but for certain individuals thwarting his efforts.

In response to the claim, Enoh in a statement titled ‘Bash Alli and his serial blackmail must be confronted and defeated,” warmed the boxer to tender an apology or face legal action.

He said, “I am constrained to speak to the trending video and open petition to the President wherein Bash Alli, a former World Boxing Champion, threw caution and decency to the wind to allege that I demanded the sum of ‘another ‘ $1m from him in order to endorse his plan to stage what he calls the oldest boxers fight in Nigeria.

“When Bash Alli released his video and open letter to the President, with the sole aim to defame and destroy my reputation and integrity, some friends and associates advised that I totally ignore him and his blackmail gambit. They believe that I will validate and bring him to the limelight by responding to Bash Alli and his vile campaign of calumny.

“After a deep reflection, I have come to the inevitable conclusion that to ignore him will be a profound mistake. My reason for this is twofold. First, the perception in the public domain is that those in the public service are either thieves or kleptomaniacs who mindlessly pillage our Commonwealth. This assumption, no matter how widely held, is not true.

“Despite our challenges as a nation, there are men and women who continue to serve our country with honesty, integrity, and patriotism. I am one of such.”

Enoh further said that ignoring Alli will further encourage and enable him to continue in his usual direction without consequences.

He said, “Bash Alli’s allegation that I demanded ‘another $1m’ as if I had received a first tranche of $1m from him, or perhaps any of my predecessors had done so, is a manufactured lie from the pit of hell. At no point in time did I demand any form of gratification from Bash Alli.”

In addition the minister stated that Alli was desperate to meet him upon his resumption in office but he was cautioned by his staff.

He said, “Let me be clear. Bash Alli desperately wanted to meet me in my very early days as Minister of Sports Development when I had hardly settled down on the job.

“In the deluge of his desperate attempts, I decided to meet him against the advice of the ministry staff, who were familiar with his character and antics. Against their advice, I decided to meet him out of respect for his age and based on the open-door policy with which I am currently leading the ministry.

“Bash Alli’s plan to stage his boxing fight in Nigeria has a long history spanning almost two decades. To achieve this personal aspiration, he has deployed all manner of strategies, including naked blackmail and underhand tactics in his desperate effort to arm-twist the Federal Government to spend upwards of $50m to stage his fight.

“Successive Ministers of Sports have rightly told him that his plan to stage this fight is not the responsibility of the government but a business that the private sector should execute.

“In concluding this statement, I sincerely believe that, in spite of our numerous challenges, our country still has a soul. Our humanity will be irretrievably destroyed the day we lose our soul. Bash Alli’s desperate and unprovoked withering attack on me is an attack on decency, honesty, and integrity. The move to clear my name has just started, and there will be no let up until I achieve this sacred mission.

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

Popular Related

Why Finidi was named Super Eagles coach – NFF

Due to the impressive record as a coach the Nigerian Football Federation has decided to handle the job to the new super Eagle's manager,...

NFF stabbed me in the back – Finidi speaks on why he resigned 

Former head coach of the Super Eagles, Finidi George has revealed the motivation behind his decision to quit his role. The 53-year-old who submitted his...

The Ondo PDP to conduct primary ahead of governorship election 

The Ondo Peoples Democratic Party will be conducting its governorship primary today ( Thursday) ahead of the November 16 governorship election in the state. The...

Nigeria youths to be paid unemployment benefits by FG

The Federal Government has said it will commence payment to unemployed graduates with NCE and upwards through the Social Security Payment scheme. The Minister of...

 Daniel Igali hails female wrestlers after Ghana heroics

Daniel Igali,  the President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, has praised the female wrestlers as they won gold medals. He also defended the male athletes who...

Nigerian defence Academy warns Kaduna communities ahead of shooting practice

The Residents of Mando, Tsamiya, Kauya, and Afaka general areas of Kaduna States have been instructed by the Nigerian Defence Academy not to worry...

Naval chief extends operation against oil thieves by 90 days

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, has extended the Nigerian Navy’s Operation Delta Sanity by 90 days. The operation was launched on...

First Bank appoints Alebiosu acting MD

Olusegun Alebiosu, has been appointed by First Bank of Nigeria Limited as the new acting Managing Director with effect from  April 2024. This was stated...

Ujah laments for not scoring for Super Eagles

After spending a brief time with the men's senior national team in 2013, former Super Eagles striker Anthony Ujah is still enjoying the high...

Peter Obi lament over deplorable power situations in Nigeria 

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the general election, peter Obi, has deplored over the continuous power situation in the country. Peter...