NFF needs to cross the legal huddle it is currently facing fast if the body intends to obey the federal government’s directive
By Mosope Michaels
Federal Government has called on the leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to ensure that elections scheduled for September this year are held as scheduled, despite the crisis rocking the body.
The body governing football activities in Nigeria, NFF, had earlier fixed its elections for September 2022 when the tenure of the current Amaju Pinnick exco expires.
But the Elective Congress is currently being threatened by the leadership crisis and a legal hurdle, placed in front of the football body by a Nigerian court, which has prohibited it from holding an election.
However, President Muhamadu Buhari through a communique dated June 17 and signed by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare directed the association to hold its election as scheduled.
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The letter, which was addressed to Mr Pinnick, in addition to saying the election must go on as expected, also demanded that the NFF Statutes, which guide football administration in the country, should be amended to include stakeholders either currently disenfranchised or denied equal representation in the NFF congress.
The minister quoted the president as directing the NFF to ensure the “amended statutes reflect the national yearnings, aspirations and peculiarities of Nigeria as a sovereign nation whilst aligning with the principles and objectives of football as set by the world soccer governing body, FIFA”.
After Super Eagles failed to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup many Nigerians and some board members called for Pinnick’s resignation, but others disagreed and championed a third term for the former Delta State Sports Commission boss
Although Pinnick recently made it known he would not be contesting in the election, after consultations with his family, some stakeholders believe he is considering a third term in office and are vehemently opposed to the idea.
