FIFA Suspension Dangles On Nigeria As Maigari’s Faction Holds Election Thursday

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News, Sports News Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014

Ganiyu Nasirudeen

The world Football governing body – FIFA is not hiding its opposition to the wranglings in, and present leadership composition of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as it Wednesday gave the country till September 8, 2014 to abide by its rules or slammed with another suspension from participating in its future tournaments.

The peak of the lingering crisis rocking the glass house was the election on Tuesday, August 26, of the present President, Mr. Chris Giwa.

Aminu Maigari

The exercise that produced Giwa last week was supposed to be a congress to fix a date for election proper. Besides, it held in the absence of the factional President, Aminu Maigari, as he and other NFF officials were quizzed by the security operatives and released the following day after the emergence of the Giwa –led cabinet.

The controversial election held in the presence of the Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo and the factional NFF President, Mike Umeh who later rejected the outcome of the result.

FIFA’s letter dated Wednesday, September 3, 2014 to NFF states: “Following the decision by the FIFA Emergency Committee, FIFA has today, 3rd September 2014, sent a letter to the Nigeria Football Federation confirming that the NFF will be suspended with immediate effect should there still be persons claiming to have been elected to NFF positions on 26 August 2014 and occupying their offices on Monday, 8 September 2014 at 08.00 (Central European Time)”.

It also reads: “The decision follows events linked to the NFF general assembly held on 26 August 2014. While the said general assembly was duly convened by the NFF Executive Committee to adopt a new road map leading to the NFF elections, some members proceeded to hold elections in the absence of the NFF President, who was being held by security forces for questioning”.

FIFA similarly confirmed its aversion to a letter dated August 29 by NFF to it saying that it would not recognise the results of August 26 elections, while indicating the matter would be tabled before the respective FIFA bodies if Giwa’s EXCO remains in the glass house till September 1, 2014.

Giwa confirmed receipt of FIFA reservation and his unwavering opposition letter. He had said in a letter: “For the time being we can confirm that a letter from FIFA’s Secretary General Jérôme Valcke concerning the situation of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been sent to NFF on 29 August 2014”.

The Sports Minister, Danagogo Tuesday met with House of Representatives members Committee on Sports, to present his submission on the lingering controversy and confusion in the glass house. Journalists were shot out of the meeting.

Chairman of the Committee, Godfrey Gaiya, later told reporters that his committee was still consulting all stakeholders and would soon come out with its position.

In the meantime, Gaiya announced in Abuja Wednesday evening confirming that the Aminu Maigari’s faction election will hold tomorrow in Abuja.

Unconfirmed reports however indicated Maigari’s NFF faction Secretary General, Musa Ahmadu has been picked by the security operatives and taken to an unknown destination.