NFF Electoral Crisis: Again, FIFA wades in to determine Pinnick’s fate

The world football governing body, FIFA, has again been forced to intervene in the Nigeria football administration crisis.

The intervention is coming months after the country was threatened with a ban over its inability to agree on a new leadership for the running of football in the country.

FIFA will later this week determine the fate of the Nigeria Football Federation’s President, Amaju Pinnick, whose election is being threatened by conflicting resolutions from the Electoral Appeals Committee, officials say.

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, the Chairman of the NFF Congress, Ephraim Chukwuemeka, said the two parallel reports that were produced by the Electoral Appeals Committee have been forwarded to FIFA for a final verdict.

“We saw two reports from the Committee, one from the minority and another from the majority, these reports have been packaged to FIFA. They will decide,” he said.

The Chairman, who was quoted in a Press release signed by the NFF spokesperson, Ademola Olajiire, denied saying the NFF is committed to supporting Mr. Pinnick.

“Apparently, the young man is misguided. Nigeria football is not Okey Ajunwa and Sons; it is a big, wonderful family where the view of the majority prevails. There is no way we can adopt a minority report. It is not done.

“In case he is not aware, there is no step he will take that will split the family again. We are one indivisible unit and we are committed to supporting the Amaju Pinnick –led Board to take our football to the top once more. We do not want any distractions. I hereby use this opportunity to wish every member of the NFF Congress a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year,” Mr. Chukwuemeka was quoted as saying.

But speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Chukwuemeka denied the comments attributed to him. He said he only talked about the majority and minority and added that FIFA would wade into the conflict.

He said, “It is wrong to judge or say anything. If there is a crew of three people with a secretary in a committee and one brings out a report, one out of three is a minority report, the last report is a minority report and it is left for FIFA to determine,” he said.