More than 2,000 members of the prestigious IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja have formally disowned a lawsuit filed against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, by three fellow club members.Â
The lawsuit, brought by Ubong Esop Akpan, Tijani Abdulsalam Ogueyi, and Olalere Babasola, challenges Wike’s recent restructuring of the club’s Board of Trustees. However, the petitioning majority of club members have distanced themselves from the suit, signaling broader support for the minister’s actions.
The leadership crisis at the club had reached a tipping point earlier this year, prompting the FCT Minister to intervene by appointing Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, as Chairperson of the BOT. She replaced Gen. IBM Haruna, who, along with three other former trustees, was re-designated as a club patron.
Additional BOT appointments included prominent individuals such as Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Mrs. Grace Ihonvbere, S. I. Ameh (SAN), Hamid Abbo, Admiral Victor Adedipe (rtd), Chief Patrick Chidolue, and Mr. Ikokwu. Meanwhile, Chief Philip Asiodu was dropped from the board entirely.
Wike justified the shakeup as part of a broader initiative to restore order and enhance governance at the club, which had been embroiled in internal disputes and administrative dysfunction.
However, his efforts were met with resistance from a minority faction, which secured an interim court injunction halting the inauguration of the new board.
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In response to the continued tensions, Wike set up a 10-member Interim Management Committee headed by Peter Deshi to oversee club operations pending resolution of the dispute.
Security has since been heightened, with operatives from the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services stationed at the facility.
Only essential personnel are currently allowed access, and even members of the IMC must undergo strict identification checks.
While the club remains under restricted access, insiders confirmed that the temporary closure is also being used to facilitate long-overdue renovations.
Construction firm Julius Berger, which originally designed the club’s golf course in 1991, has been contracted to lead the upgrade project.
The renovation is being jointly funded by the FCT Administration, the Federal Ministry of Works, and the National Sports Commission.
The internal crisis, which once threatened to tear the club apart, is now being reframed by many members as an opportunity for renewal—both in terms of infrastructure and governance.
Wike’s intervention appears to have secured significant support, despite the ongoing legal challenge from a vocal minority.
The Guardian
