26th August, 2014
Taiwo Adelu
An e-mail from the Special Assistant to the Minister of Sports, Patrick Omorodion to P.M.NEWS Sports last night announced that embattled President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has officially resigned from his position.
The e-mail also contained an attachment which showed the letter of resignation dated 12 August and signed by Maigari himself informing the Sports Minister and Chairman of National Sports Commission, NSC, Dr. Tammy Danagogo of his decision to voluntarily quit and not contest in the next election of the Executive Committee of the Board of NFF.
In the letter, Maigari thanked President Goodluck Jonathan and indeed all Nigerians for their support that enabled him to achieve the level of success Nigerian football attained during his four-year tenure in office which ended midnight Monday.
In the e-mail sent to P.M.NEWS Sports, the Minister’s media aide stated that: “Hi all, attached is Maigari’s resignation. Also be reminded that the NFF Board’s tenure expires midnight today. Thanks.”
When Omorodion was called early this morning to confirm the authenticity of the e-mail, he said: “Yes it is true that I sent the e-mail across last night. I understood that some radio and television stations have been using the story; except the newspapers which I believe got the mail late yesterday. The resignation was official, more development will follow.”
But the 1st Vice President of the NFF, Mike Umeh would not deny or admit that Maigari had resigned. He said: “I don’t know how true it is but I believe our tenure as the Executive Committee of the board of NFF expired yesterday and I’m going for today’s congress in Abuja as the chairman of Anambra State Football Association. I’m expecting the congress to be fruitful. I will abide by any decision taken at the congress.”
Maigari has had a series of problems since after the 2014 FIFA World Cup: sacked by a court injunction before the order was vacated, impeached by his own board and then coming back, all happening since last month.