2nd September, 2014
The crisis rocking Nigerian football took a new turn Monday when the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, led by Chris Giwa’s faction rose from a meeting and announced the suspension of the board of League Management Committee, LMC.
A Communique released after the meeting and signed by 1st Vice President, Chief Obinna Ogba said the LMC was suspended for sabotaging the league matches during day 26th matches.
“Accordingly, a six-man committee comprising of the following members: Mr. Fatai Olaniyan, Chief Rumson Baribote, Chief Okey Ibe, Barrister Isaac Danladi, Mr. Tijani Babangida, Mr. Babangida Little, Tunji Babalola – Secretary is hereby constituted to oversee the running of the Nigeria Premier League matches till the end of the season.
“The Committee is also mandated to chart a new road map for elections into the board of the Nigeria Premier League. A Committee is also constituted to investigate the culpability or otherwise of the members of LMC,” the communique states.
An investigative panel was also set up to investigate the League Management Company and Nigeria Referee Association in view of their involvement in sabotaging the league matches and to report back to the Executive Committee. The panel include Dr. Chris Ekong as Chairman, while Mr. O. O. Olaniyan and Alhaji Inuwa Umar are members with Mr. Sunday Okayi as Secretary.
Giwa’s Executive Committee said it has set up a reconciliatory committee headed by Gen. Dominic Oneya, while Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, Chief Gabriel Chukwuma Gabros, Elder Dickson Adejube and Prof. Onje Gyewado.
The committee is saddled with the responsibility of meeting and reconciling all the factions amongst the football family and accordingly advise the Executive Committee on how to resolve the conflict to avoid future occurrence.
On the letter sent to the NFF on Friday by FIFA demanding that Giwa and his board vacate office latest on Monday, the Executive Committee applauded the leadership of FIFA led by Sepp Blatter in a reply to the FIFA’s letter dated 29 August, 2014 threatening to suspend Nigeria.
The NFF however assured that there will be no cause for alarm.
On the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo this weekend, Executive Committee commended the effort of the Government and people of Cross River state for their deep seated support for the NFF as all arrangements have been concluded for the match and subsequent match in South Africa.
“Furthermore, the NFF in conjunction with the Cross River State Government is making adequate security arrangement for the Super Eagles match in Calabar,” the communique read.