30th August, 2014
President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ambassador Chris Giwa has allayed fears of Nigerians over a letter from world governing body, FIFA, on Friday 29 August, saying that the NFF will relay a detailed and convincing response to the world body on Monday morning.
“We have seen the letter from FIFA and digested the full content of it. Nothing has changed, as far as we are concerned. We will present our position to FIFA by Monday morning and they will be convinced beyond any reasonable doubt,” said Giwa in a statement made available to P.M.NEWS Sports Friday evening by Ademola Olajire, Assistant Director (Communications) of the NFF.
“We call on Nigerians not to panic. The NFF is not intimidated and we do not expect any sanction because we have done the appropriate thing. For us, it is not about noise-making. FIFA has admitted in its letter that the General Assembly is the highest decision–making body of any association/federation. That is perfect,” Giwa noted.
Giwa recalled that the General Assembly of Nigeria Football Federation had at the 69th meeting on Thursday 28 November 2013 decided that Elective Congress would take place on 26 August 2014.
“If FIFA admits that the General Assembly is the highest decision–making body, and the highest decision–making resolved at their meeting in 2013 that elections would take place on 26 August, 2014, no other body can change that decision. Certainly, the NFF Executive Committee is not qualified to change that decision.
“FIFA talked about some persons walking away from the Congress as a result of the fact that some persons were arrested. We were not aware of that. The Congress went ahead and moved a motion to hold elections same day, in deference to the decision of General Assembly of November 28, 2013, and the motion was seconded and there was no counter motion.
“There is absolutely nothing to fear. Our response is ready. FIFA will receive position of the federation and will be convinced that elections have, indeed, taken place,” Giwa said.