Nigeria Escape FIFA’s Ban, As FG Recognises Pinnick As NFF Boss

By Akinwale Kasali

For the umpteenth time in less than a decade, Nigeria has escaped FIFA’s dangling hammer for power tussle by the Nigeria Football federation, NFF.

The leadership tussle between Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa can be traced back to the Goodluck Jonathan administration, before it escalated few months back, forcing FIFA to wield the big stick on the NFF.

he Presidency on Monday said it recognised the Amaju Pinnick-led executives of the Nigerian Football Federation as the authentic executives of the federation.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a message he posted on his Twitter handle, @akandeoj.

Akande said the Federal Government had already conveyed its position to the world football governing body, FIFA.

He said the government would continue to work with stakeholders to resolve the federation’s dispute in due time.

He added that the government is upholding NFF’s treaty obligations to FIFA.

Akande wrote, “The FG has already conveyed to FIFA its firm position recognising Amaju Pinnick-led NFF as the current and only NFF executive.

“Government will also continue to work with all relevant stakeholders involved to resolve the dispute in a timely manner.

“The Federal Government is upholding NFF treaty obligations to FIFA.”

Over the weekend, the Presidency was bent on quashing the impending ban, the Federal Government had reportedly contacted FIFA over the weekend assuring it that Amaju Pinnick and his executives were in charge of football affairs in the country.

Sources told KweséESPN that the government sent a letter to FIFA concerning the faction that was in charge of football in the country.

The report also said the government assured FIFA that football in the country was being run, and would continue to be run — in full compliance with FIFA Statutes.