By Nasiru Ibrahim
The Bauchi State Government has dissolved the Management Committee of Wikki Tourists Football Club with immediate effect following the club’s relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the end of the 2025/2026 season.
The decision was approved by Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed after a comprehensive review of the club’s performance and the various interventions undertaken by the state government to help Wikki Tourists retain its top-flight status.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, the government said the dissolution is part of efforts to reposition the club, restore public confidence in its administration and lay a solid foundation for an immediate return to the NPFL.
The statement noted that the state government provided financial and administrative support to the club throughout the season and, in a final effort to prevent relegation, constituted a rescue team to complement the work of the management. Despite those interventions, Wikki Tourists were unable to avoid the drop to the Nigeria National League (NNL).
To oversee the rebuilding process, the government has appointed former Bauchi State Director of Sports, Alhaji Haruna Bako, as Interim Sole Administrator of the club pending the appointment of a substantive management committee.
He is expected to immediately assume responsibility for the club’s administration, supervise the handover of its operations, assets and records, and begin implementing measures aimed at preparing Wikki Tourists for a successful campaign in the 2026/2027 Nigeria National League season.
The Bauchi State Government also expressed appreciation to the outgoing Management Committee, led by Salmanu Abubakar, for its service to the club and wished its members success in their future endeavours.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to restoring Wikki Tourists to its former status as one of Nigeria’s leading football clubs and pledged continued support towards securing the club’s return to the Nigeria Premier Football League at the earliest opportunity.
