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One of the many gaffes in the board appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday was appointment of four members into the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Football stakeholders have expressed shock over the appointments which are against NFF statutes as a Federation that should exist without government interference as FIFA rules state.
Concerns have continued to grow over fears that the blunder may trigger a divided NFF at a time the country was preparing for the Russia 2018 World Cup coming up in June in the NFF.
Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung has however waded in.
In a tweet on Saturday, he called for calm, stating that it was very clear that the Federal Government can not appoint the NFF board.
He described it as “an oversight which is been sorted out”
His words: The recently released board members of NFF is an oversight which is been sorted out. NFF is governed by statute and board members are elected by congress and not appointed.
“I am appealing for calm from all stakeholders that it’s an administrative oversight about NFF board appointed by government. Efforts are tailored towards to address it soonest.
“All efforts is on course to liaise with CAF and FIFA on constructive engagement that the situation may likely attract. This board of NFF under Amaju has provided leadership but their performance is subject to a congress and not appointment”.
The Congress is the supreme authority for the running of the game of football in Nigeria. It is made up of all the major stakeholders in the game within the country and meets once a year at an Annual General Assembly.
The Congress is made up of 88 members, including the Chairmen of all 36 State Football Associations and the Federal Capital Territory, Secretaries of all 36 State Football Associations and the Federal Capital Territory, Chairmen and Secretaries of all the Leagues (Premier League, National League, Women League and Nationwide League), as well as Chairmen and Secretaries of the Nigeria Referees Association, the Nigeria Football Coaches Association and the Players’ Union.
Directly below the Congress in the order of authority is the NFF Executive Committee, the NFF President and the Secretariat that implements the policies of the Federation.
Government interference in football regulation in countries is against FIFA rules.
READ: Buhari’s scandalous board appointments show APC’s shoddiness in managing Nigeria – PDP
Other blunders in the appointments made by the Federal Government include appointment of five dead persons, persons who have exited the ruling All Progressives Congress and duplications of names and positions.