FIFA nullifies Giwa’s election

FIFA nullifies Giwa’s election

The decision of the Ministry of Sports to mastermind and give credence to the kangaroo election that produced Chris Giwa as the new President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has drawn the rwath of FIFA, which has ordered Giwa to vacate the Glass House by Monday.

In a letter signed by the Secretary-Generakl of FIFA, Jerome Valcke and adressed to NFF scribe, Musa Amadu said the failure of Giwa to heed the directive will atrtact a suspension, which immediate repercusion is that the Super Eagles will not host Congo in next Saturday’s AFCON 2015 qualifying match in Calabar.

“We understand from the sequence of events that the general assembly duly convened by the NFF Executive Committee could not start as planned because some NFF members, including the president, were being held by security forces for questioning.

“Finally, we have learnt that the persons who claim to have been duly elected during the so-called ‘elective general assembly’ have come to the NFF offices claiming to be the legitimate president and members of the NFF. It also appears the Ministry of Sports has recognised them.

“As a consequence, we will not recognise the outcome of the above mentioned elections and should there still be persons claiming to have been elected and occupying the NFF offices at midnight Monday 1 September 2014, we will bring the case to the appropriate Fifa body for sanctions, which may include suspension of the NFF.”

The other faction has proposed September 4 for its election.

No cause for alarm – Giwa

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ambassador Chris Giwa has allayed the fears of Nigerians over a letter from world football –governing body, FIFA of Friday, 29th August, 2014, saying that the NFF will relay a detailed and convincing response to the world body on Monday morning.

“We have seen the letter from FIFA and digested the full content of it. Nothing has

changed, as far as we are concerned. We will present our position to FIFA by Monday morning and they will be convinced beyond any reasonable doubt.

“We call on Nigerians not to panic. The NFF is not intimidated and we do not expect any sanction because we have done the appropriate thing. For us, it is not about noise -making. FIFA has admitted in its letter that the General Assembly is the highest decision –making body of any association/federation. That is perfect,” Giwa noted.

Giwa recalled that the General Assembly of Nigeria Football Federation had at the 69th meeting on Thursday, 28th November, 2013 decided that elective Congress would take place on 26th August, 2014

“If FIFA admits that the General Assembly is the highest decision –making body, and the highest decision –making resolved at their meeting in 2013 that elections would take place on 26th August, 2013, no other body can change that decision. Certainly, the NFF Executive Committee is not qualified to change that decision.

“FIFA talked about some persons walking away from the Congress as a result of the fact that some persons were arrested. We were not aware of that. The Congress went ahead and moved a motion to hold elections same day, in deference to the decision of General Assembly of November 28, 2013, and the motion was seconded and there was no counter motion.

“There is absolutely nothing to fear. Our response is ready. FIFA will receive position of the Federation and will be convinced that elections have, indeed, taken place,” Giwa concluded.