As the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Electoral Committee forges ahead with its preparation for elections into the Executive Committee slated for August 26 in Abuja, the Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo, has sent solidarity message to the delegates and stakeholders.
The ministerial backing for the election is coming even as the NFF President Aminu Maigari, has indicated his resolve to seek extension at the General Assembly slated for Warri, Delta State on the same date.
Dr Danagogo is anchoring his support for the decision of the chairman of the Electoral Committee, Amoni Biambo, to go ahead with the election on the agreement he reached with the then Acting President, Mike Umeh and President Aminu Maigari.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Patrick Omorodion stated: “The Honourable Minister of Sports and chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr Tammy W. Danagogo, has wished all delegates, candidates and stakeholders to the Elective Congress holding in Abuja, on the 26 of August, 2014 a very successful congress.”
According to Omorodion, the minister took cognizance of “The resolutions reached in his meetings with the Maigari led faction and the Umeh led faction of the NFF.
“The advisory letter from FIFA dated 14 August 2014, which stated inter alia, “…“It is advisable that major decisions are frozen until after the elections of 26 August…” and that nothing has happened to alter that position.”
“That all parties who were genuinely interested in participating in the NFF elections and felt disenfranchised ought to file their complaints and seek redress through available channels including the
Elections Appeals Committee, it is time for all parties to put aside their personal ambitions and promote the corporate good of Nigerian Football.
“The Honourable Minister is looking forward to a cordial and prosperous working relationship with the board that will be inaugurated after the elections of 26 August 2014, in Abuja to take Football in Nigeria to greater heights”.
But, on Thursday, Head of Media at the NFF, Ademola Olajire, in a statement said the Federation was in possession of another letter from FIFA, expressing backing for the August 26 Congress and shifting of the election into the Executive Committee.
However, the Electoral Committee Chairman, Biambo, faulted the decision of the Maigari-led board to postpone the election when the body has followed all the laid down procedures.
Biambo, also questioned the authenticity of the series of letters said to be emanating from FIFA, calling on security agencies to probe the said letters.
Meanwhile, Prompt News gathered that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, was billed to meet with the Aminu Maigari group, Mike Umeh’s group and the Electoral Committee members on Friday evening to find the way forward.
A stakeholder, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, said they would resist any attempt by the SGF to interfere in football affairs.
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