Galadima, Amaju, FA Chairmen Weep Over Illegal Congress As FIFA Hammer Looms

The Purported removal of the Alhaji Aminu Maigari led Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has been flayed by top football chiefs in the country with most of them, including state FA Chairmen saying it was done in bad taste and it will damage the gains made by Nigerian football in the last four years.

Among those against the move are
former NFA Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, Delta State FA Chairman and Executive Chairman of the State Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick and 33 state FA Chairmen in the country who will rather not have their names in print. It will be recalled that only three State FA Chairmen attended the Emergency Congress held Tuesday in Abuja.

Galadima in his submission, said the same brazen manner with which he was removed from office as then NFA Chairman,was again being displayed only with FIFA standing for the truth at the moment. “If the Sports Ministry and the National Sports Commission, say they were using the Jos Court judgement to displace the present Executive Committee, then they have flouted the court order, because the court also said there should be no congress. So where did they get the powers to appoint an administrator and start to sack all management staff members, its absurd, illegal and we pray that common sense will prevail”.

He continued: “As far as some of us are concerned, the country is retrogressing instead of moving forward internationally in football. If it has to do with funds management then we can understand and there are better ways of going about it instead of putting Nigeria in bad light for the wrong reasons internationally.” Galadima called on the Minister to if possible to retrace his steps and look for better counsel, instead of grandstanding on the removal of the executive committee of the NFF. “This matter is not about any individual but about the nation and the bad report and the possible damage this development will do to our football”. We hear the Minister and another official are going to FIFA headquarters when the World Cup is going on, it will amount to nothing. Lets settle at home”.

In his own submission, Amaju, said he has been able to tell the Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, his own feelings regarding the present logjam. He said the country’s image and football must be prevented from politics. “What we are seeing is attempt to rubbish a very good man in Aminu Maigari, yes he may have his limitations but in reality Nigeria has not had it this good for a long time with a football administrator as Maigari has demonstrated. The Minister might have his points of argument but Nigeria should supercede all, otherwise by Tuesday we will be banned by FIFA and that will take us several years backwards because we cannot be against international politics of the game.

Amaju said he believes that if the Presidency actually approved the removal of the Executive Committee, it was ill-advised and there must be a way to correct the anomaly and save face from the looming FIFA ban. “We should stop making ourselves a laughing stock before the international community, because to be honest football is one of the sectors that has been thriving in the country and we must make it better instead of fighting ourselves. The Minister and the NFF must find a common ground to resolve this issue for the good of the country. We even hear they want to bring back some characters whose only source of livelihood is football, we must not go there because we know the antecedents of these men”.

Also, 33 State FA Chairmen said they are shocked at the turn of events but will play the waiting game to ensure that they don’t run foul of FIFA rules and also thread the path of honour.