In what could be a huge setback for the nation’s sports, 10-time champion of the National Sports Festival, Delta State, is threatening to boycott this year’s edition of the fiesta holding in Egugu State over what it described as ‘some flaws inherent’ in the conduct of the President, Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Mr. Sunday Odebode, in carrying out his office in an abusive and intimidating manner towards Delta State para-athletes residing in Lagos.

Already, the Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Onoriode Oborevweri, has petitioned the National Sports Commission (NSC) in Abuja, saying that if Odebode is not called to order, the state would stay away from Enugu 2026 National Sports Festival.

But Odebode has fired back, describing Delta Sports Commission as a ‘divided house, which must be put in order for athletes to enjoy better welfare package. He exonerated himself of any wrong doing, saying: “Athletes, like footballers, are free to move to places where they are guaranteed better welfare and good packages, provided they meet terms and conditions governing the game.

In the petition dated March 31, 2026, to the NSC in Abuja, tagged: A case of betrayal, poaching of athletes and abuse of power/office by Mr. Sunday Odebode, President Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Oborevwori said: “Our attention has been drawn to the abusive, intimidating and reckless use of office to forcibly ask the para-athletes of Delta State Sports Commission to tender resignation from the Delta State Sports Commission or risk not traveling abroad for any para-event as much as he remains the President of the Federation.

“This attitude obviously negates the spirit of sportmanship, a clear case of abuse of power/office and tantamount to infringement of their right to association and choice. For clarity sake, Mr. Sunday Odebode has been forcefully and compelling the para athletes under the pay-roll of Delta State Sports Commission to resign their appointment with the Delta State Government to enable them represent Enugu State at the forthcoming National Sports Festival.

We gathered that Enugu State has contracted him to work for them. What Delta State will not take is his incessant harassment of our athletes, threatening and denying them of opportunities for refusing to adhere to his threats and acting without recourse to laws.

“To be specific, Mr. Sunday Odebode has compelled Mr. Sefiu Adewale Ojeleye an athlete of Delta Sports Commission to resign his appointment having being, receiving salaries from the Delta State for the past Ten (10) years. (A protest letter has been forwarded in that regards). Again, few days ago, another para-athlete under the Delta State pay-roll Miss Goodness Nwachukwu has cried out that Mr. Sunday Odebode has been threatening to drop her from any international engagement should she refuse to resign and even asked her to compete for Enugu State at the Para Games in Abuja.

“It is very obvious that Mr. Sunday Odebode has resorted to biting the fingers that fed him. Mr. Odebode should remember that he worked with the former Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission for about eight years. The state made him what he is today, therefore, it will be unfair, inhuman and ungratefulness to work against a State that made him. In the same vein, Delta State can mar him, should he refuse to desist from these sinful acts.”

Oborevwori continues: “There are rules and regulations guiding the sports festival and athletes engagement. To say the least, the actions of Odebode negates these rules and above all. Let me equally say this, a situation where athlete have been fully engaged by a state, it is unhealthy for another state to approach and compel such athletes to leave the state as it tantamount to poaching of the athletes, which Delta State Sports Commission will not allow in any form.

“Leveraging from the above development, the Delta State Sports Commission wish to state categorically that if this inhuman act by Mr. Sunday Odebode and his cohorts does not stop, Delta State will obviously boycott the festival to enable Odebode win. As much as we are not in tandem with the 15 compulsory sports and five optional sports being proposed for the National Sports Festival and our athletes are being poached and their futures under threat.

“In the light of the foregoing, the Delta State Sports Commission therefore request that these allegations be investigated and appropriate sanctions be apportioned accordingly,” Oborevwori stated.

Meanwhile, Odebode has denied ever poaching Delta State athletes for Enugu State. “They just want to tarnish my image,” Odebode told The Guardian in a telephone chat from Scotland, where he is observing his holiday. “One thing I want Nigerians to know is that Delta Sports Commission is presently a ‘divided house’ and every right thinking athlete always want to avoid such situation. The female athlete from Enugu told some people that he wants to go back to her state, since Enugu is hosting the National Sports Festival. The other athlete is from Ogun State, and he has gone back to his state. He said that Delta failed to meet the financial agreement they entered, and he resigned, pay back their money into Delta State government account.

“It is wrong to accuse me of poaching their athletes for another state. What has happened to the N287million that was approved for Delta Sports Commission to recruit new athletes? I am sure someone has pocked that money. If they drag me further, I will open a can of worm. They are busy fighting themselves instead of facing the reality on ground. It will be a setback for Delta, if it boycott the National Sports Festival because virtually all their key athletes and coaches will move to other states instead of waiting for someone to kill their career,” Odebode stated.