- Congress passes vote of confidence on Pinnick
- Hails LMC over NPFL
- Throws election into NFF open
BY JOE APU
THE Nigeria Football Federation, NFF yesterday rose from its extraordinary Congress directing that factional leader Chris Giwa, Yahaya Adama, Muazu Suleyman, Sani Fema and Effiong Johnson to appear before the disciplinary board for bringing Nigerian football to ridicule in contravention of the NFF statutes and other football laws.
According to a communiqué signed by the Chairman of the Communique drafting Committee, Sir Emmanuel Chukwuemeka and made available to Daily Sunsport, Chris Giwa and the others were said to have committed infractions such as illegally contracting a law firm in South Africa in the name of the NFF.
Congress however stated the men in the spirit of fair hearing should face the disciplinary board and defend themselves.
Aside those referred to the Disciplinary board, Rumson Baribote, Shehu Adamu, Ben Agary and Jide Fashikun are to appear and defend themselves before the NFF Committee on Ethics and Fairplay for aiding and abetting the above gross misconduct, thus collectively contravening provisions of NFF, WAFU, CAF and FIFA Statutes.
The General Assembly unanimously re-affirmed the election of the Amaju Pinnick led board and upheld the NFF Elective Congress in Warri, Delta State on 30th September 2014 that saw the emergence of Amaju Melvin Pinnick (President): SeyiAkinwunmi (1st Vice President); Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Chairman of Chairmen); Christopher Green (Member); Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Member); Felix Anyansi Agwu (Member); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Yusuf Ahmmed Fresh (Member); Suleiman Yahaya Kwande (Member); Babagana Kalli (Member); Hussaini Modibbo (Member, of blessed memory).
The General Assembly comprising all the 44 members affirmed that the Nigeria Football Federation is one indivisible body governed by the NFF statutes (2010 edition).
The Congress commended the League Management Company under the leadership of the NFF 2nd Vice President, Mr. Shehu Dikko for its credible efforts and innovations at making the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) much better, commercially viable and spectator –friendly with particular mention of the return of Elite Professional Football to Maiduguri, Borno State.
Additionally, the clause adopted at the 71st NFF General Assembly held in Abuja on 16th December 2015, aimed at ensuring and guaranteeing professionalism in the administration of football but misinterpreted as barring non-members of the Congress from contesting for positions on the NFF Executive Committee was suspended pending ratificaton at the next NFF General Assembly. “For the avoidance of doubt the congress further affirmed that all eligible and qualified persons under the NFF statutes are eligible to contest elections,” the communique stated.