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Chris Giwa has taken over as president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) while Amaju Pinnick is still in Russia.
Giwa’s steps followed a directive from Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, that the Pinnick-led board of the NFF should comply with the Court order recognising Giwa as president.
Giwa who addressed journalists at the glass house in Abuja, said his assumption of office was in line with the ruling of the court on June 5, 2018.
He said the court had nullified the election held in Warri on September 30, 2014 by the former chairman, Amaju Pinnick and upheld him as the president.
READ: Dalung asks NFF to recognise Giwa-led exco in line with court order
His words: “I am here to claim my mandate as the substantive chairman elected on August 26, 2014.
“We waited for the other board to finish the preparations for world cup so that we can assume office.”
Giwa promised to embark on reconciliation of all aggrieved members for the success of the federation.
Accordimg to him, Nigeria’s sovereignty could not be threatened by any foreign interest including FIFA, saying the current move was in tandem with the country’s constitution.
Giwa who was elected chairman of NFF by a faction on August 26, 2014, is not recognised by FIFA.
FIFA supervised the election which brought in Pinnick and his exco members.
Following the development Giwa pursued his case to the court of Arbitration for Sports, where he lost and was banned from football related activities by FIFA
However, on June 5, the court set aside Pinnick’s election and recognised Giwa’s election.