FIFA suspends NFF election after mass resignations, plans fact-finding visit to Nigeria
FIFA has ordered the Nigeria Football Federation to suspend its ongoing electoral process to properly investigate the resignation of former president Ibrahim Gusau and members of the federation’s executive committee and the general secretary.
In a letter dated September 7 and addressed to the acting NFF deputy general secretary, FIFA referred to discussions on the federation’s current affairs during a meeting involving FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and Nigerian officials in Switzerland earlier this month.
FIFA said it and CAF were currently reviewing the details of the premature departure of Mr Gusau and other board members just under two months before the end of their tenure to determine whether the mass resignations complied with administrative procedures.
“We also refer to the meeting held at the Home of FIFA in Zurich on 1 September between FIFA, CAF, the NFF administration and representatives from the Federal Government of Nigeria, during which the current situation of the NFF was discussed.
“FIFA and CAF are currently assessing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications arising from the current circumstances within the NFF. This assessment requires a careful review of the relevant facts, the applicable NFF regulatory framework and the positions communicated by the various stakeholders concerned,” the global football governing body said.
FIFA said it had yet to decide on the matter, while requesting that the NFF maintain the status quo and not proceed with the election scheduled for later this month, to allow it to complete its assessment of the current situation and engage with the relevant stakeholders.
“At this stage, FIFA and CAF have not reached any conclusions regarding the matters under review and no determination has been made with respect to any potential next steps. Furthermore, and without prejudice to the outcome of the ongoing assessment, FIFA and CAF request that the ongoing electoral process be suspended and that no further steps or decisions be taken in connection to that process until further notice,” the organisation explained.
Additionally, FIFA notified the federation that it is planning a fact-finding mission to Abuja alongside CAF, urging the NFF to arrange for the visiting parties to meet with representatives of the NFF, its electoral bodies, and the Nigerian government.
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