In 2014, there was a high profile meeting at the instance of the then President Goodluck Jonathan, when it became obvious that the football crisis will eventually lead to a disgraceful end with FIFA threatening Nigeria with sanction (s) following a court case instituted by Amb Chris Giwa against the election of Mr. Amaju Pinnick as President of the Nigeria Football Federation.
Amb Chris Giwa was through a presidential intervention asked to withdraw the case from the Federal High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State while Mr Amaju Pinnick was asked to parley with Amb Giwa and agree on some give and take measures with a view to ending the impasse.
The two gladiators had No option but to accept the Presidential intervention but then with time Amaju Pinnick became reluctant to pursue peace and also became unwilling to negotiate peace with Amb Giwa all through the last days of President GEJ probably thinking or believing that there will not be a change of government. And if this happens then Amb Chris Giwa can as well jump into River Niger for all he cares.
The poor Amb Giwa had no option other than to pray for a change so that he can go back to the trenches and revisit his court case. And not only did God answer Amb Chris Giwa’s prayer, he also gave his bosom friend and towns man Bar Soloman Dalung the sports portfolio as Minister. To God be the glory.
Amb Chris Giwa knows the sector and especially football administration and politics more than his novice friend and he quickly capitalized on that and got the new Minister to allow him reopen his case with Amaju Pinnick which he has put on hold/suspended because of the Presidential Intervention. And without due diligence and proper briefings the new Minister summoned a meeting to hear the two parties. What happened at the meeting is better imagined than said. Nothing was achieved other than widening the gap between Mr Amaju Pinnick and Amb Chris Giwa.
So sad that both parties were able to clearly see that Hon S Dalung has lost the capacity to broker peace and understanding and cannot therefore give any one of them what they wanted. Hon Minister has failed to address the issues raised by Amb Chris Giwa and Mr Amaju Pinnick is not willing to even listen to Amb Giwa. So, the only option now is for the Amb Chris Giwa Team to go back and reopen the Jos case where they could at least be listened to and possibly get fair hearing and that is exactly what they did and where we are today.
Bar Solomon Dalung has said he is a disciple of the Rule of Law and FIFA has ruled against taking football matters to ordinary courts and here are two Nigerians in ordinary courts talking football.
Amb Chris Giwa has obtained a judgement in his favour from a Federal High Court sitting in Jos and thereafter Mr Amaju Pinnick has instituted an appeal at the Federal Court of Appeal. On the other hand FIFA is saying we are watching while your body language is implying sitting on the Fence because both Amb Chris Giwa and Mr Amaju Pinnick are your Friends but with Amb Chris Giwa having an upper hand as your towns man and political godfather.
This situation if not properly handled may put a stain on Mr President’s effort to Up the image of the country for I can see a breakdown of Law and Order and eventual intervention by FIFA.
To all well-meaning and discerning Nigerians especially lovers of football we have had PEACE in that sector for almost 1 1/2 years until recently.
Peace in the Football sector has always been our watchword when Chief Patrick Ekeji was holding forth.
There was the resuscitation of Hon Justice Abang’s 2010 Judgement which has not been vacated up to now, AMINU Maigari’s emergence as NFF President after the infamous impeachment of Sani Lulu Abdullahi ,there was the Affidavit sworn to in 2011 on NFA, there was a Presidential Order to seal the NFF Secretariat and arrest its leadership, there was the Nigeria / Iran Friendly match which became a very serious diplomatic issue, there was the Jarret Tenabe NFA, there was also the PTF 2010 / NFF issue on the construction of the Football House which was eventually ruled in favour of PTF by the then President and many more deafening crises then but all were through administrative suaveness of the then NSC DG Chief Patrick Ekeji and his Team amicably settled.
I’ve always said that what is beyond you is beyond you. The solution to this crisis is Now beyond you Mr Minister. It is absolutely wrong for you to assume that you are the beginning and the end on sports matters or that a committee of some people will help you get easy way out.
Football is our Passion and to many a means of livelihood so do not think you can with a wave of the hand dismiss our concern and worries on how it is administered and or played in the country.
FIFA is a voluntary organization and its Laws are Fluid, but once you join and become an Affiliate then you must Abide and Obey. So, allow Nigeria to be.
Yes, India does not see football as a National Concern but talk of Cricket and mess them up in that sector and see what will follow likewise Australia when it comes to Rugby.
My advice to you is therefore to refer this crisis to Mr. President through a well sort out memo detailing the genesis of the issues on ground and seek another Presidential Intervention.
If President GEJ could broker peace which at least has lasted for more than one and a half years until your coming, I cannot see why PMB if properly briefed could not establish a lasting and enduring peace in the Football Family.
Hon Minister come down from the Fence, do the needful and save this country from possible international ridicule. Sports politics is not a Guerrilla War. It is about Diplomacy, Honesty, Transparency and Tact because of its International colouration. And remember that the success of Mr President is built around the above qualities. It is either you adopt them or you get lost in the wilderness. No double standards.
God bless our country and our President.
AMEEN.
