Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has suspended the blanket ban placed on non-congress members from contesting elections into its Executive Committee.
The Clause which was adopted last December, has been widely condemned by football pundits, who see it as a way of turning elections into the NFF Executive Committee to a ‘Cult’ of sort.
But, rising from its extra-ordinary General Assembly held at Chida Hotel in Abuja on Wednesday, the Congress in a communique issued said lifting of the suspension was sequel to passionate appeal by the Executive Committee, which noted that the aim of the Clause was misconstrued as barring eligible contestants.
The Congress attended by all the 44 Congress members resolved thus:
“Following passionate appeal by the Executive Committee, the Clause adopted at the 71st NFF General Assembly held in Abuja on 16th December, 2015, aimed at ensuring and guaranteeing professionalism in the administration of football but misinterpreted as barring non-members of the Congress from contesting for positions on the NFF Executive Committee was suspended pending ratification at the next NFF General Assembly .
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Congress further affirmed that all eligible personnel under the NFF statutes are eligible to contest Elections.”
“The General Assembly expressed explicit confidence in the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation under the leadership of Amaju Melvin Piinnick and unanimously re-affirmed the election of the following persons as was done at NFF Elective Congress in Warri, Delta State on 30th September 2014: Amaju Melvin Pinnick (President): Seyi Akinwunmi (1st Vice President); Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Chairman of Chairmen); Christopher Green (Member); Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Member); Felix Anyansi Agwu (Member); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Yusuf Ahmmed Fresh (Member); Suleiman Yahaya Kwande (Member); Babagana Kalli (Member); Hussaini Modibbo (Member, of blessed memory). General Assembly observed a one – minute silence for Alhaji Hussaini Modibbo, who passed on in March, 2016.”
