The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has reiterated its warning that, in line with the NFF Statutes, there must be no external influence in the conduct of elections into the boards of the Football Associations of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, NFF Acting President, Seyi Akinwunmi, made it clear that the Federation would not treat any State that runs afoul of this important proviso as a sacred cow.

“We are sending this important message to all the football associations of the 36 States and the FCT,” Mr. Akinwunmi said. “Any State where it is found that external influence has played some role will be visited with the full sanctions applicable.

“The Nigeria Football Federation is serious about this. All the Football Associations of the States and the FCT have a duty to observe the guidelines and the stipulations to the letter, in the true spirit of association football.”

The elections into the boards of the football associations of the 36 States and the FCT have been scheduled for February 15 to 28 with some states having fixed dates for their elections already.

The Elections Monitoring Committee, headed by a member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairman of Chairmen, Ibrahim Gusau, is presently scrutinising documents submitted by the states for the conduct of the elections, including guidelines and delegates’ lists.