Reformists blast NFF over statute amendments
By Our reporters The Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Concepts (ANFRC) has officially rejected the purported amendment of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Statutes, labeling the exercise a “cosmetic charade”
By Our reporters
The Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Concepts (ANFRC) has officially rejected the purported amendment of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Statutes, labeling the exercise a "cosmetic charade" designed to entrench a failed leadership.
ANFRC Chairman Prince Harrison Jalla in a statement, slammed the NFF Congress held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, describing it as an attempt by State FA Chairmen to "go on a frolic of their own" while ignoring the dire state of the national game.
The advocacy group argued that the current NFF leadership remains "settled in mediocrity," pointing to the trauma of missing two consecutive World Cups as evidence of administrative rot. Jalla issued a stern warning that the era of holding Nigerian football hostage "by hook or crook" is over.
"These charlatans cannot continue to ruin Nigerian football in lawlessness," Jalla stated. "This is a group so comfortable in failure and so unbothered about growth. We shall remain in the trenches until Nigerian football is salvaged."
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The group claims the FA chairmen manipulated a "one-member congress" to allocate votes and enlarge the congress solely to retain their grip on power even as Jalla reminded the public that the Court of Appeal has already set aside the September 30, 2022, election, rendering the current board’s tenure legally murky.
The ANFRC called on the Federal Government to dissolve the Ibrahim Gusau-led board and initiate prosecutions for what they termed a "corruption-infested administration."
While the NFF leadership drew fire, the advocacy group offered rare praise for Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC). Jalla referenced Dikko’s recent "brilliant speech," echoing the sentiment that Nigerian football is a critical national asset that can no longer be run in an "old-fashioned way."
The statement took an ominous turn as Jalla warned that stakeholders are prepared to take drastic measures if relevant government agencies fail to intervene.
"We shall challenge you in the public square until the federal government fully intervenes," the statement read. "If necessary, we shall apply self-help to forestall a breakdown of law and order."
