FIFA and the Confederation of African Football have suspended the planned Nigeria Football Federation election. The suspension relates directly to the FIFA NFF election process amid ongoing reviews. Both bodies continue reviewing the leadership crisis within the federation.
According to The PUNCH, the directive was contained in a letter addressed to NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme. This follows the resignation of former president Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other members of the Executive Committee.
FIFA said it had received several communications concerning the developments within the federation, including those related to the FIFA NFF election. It is now assessing their legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications.
“At this stage, FIFA and CAF have not reached any conclusions regarding the matters under review,” FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, said in the letter.
Election suspended pending assessment
The development places the NFF election on hold. The ongoing FIFA NFF election dispute is at the heart of this decision. FIFA and CAF are examining the circumstances surrounding the resignations and the wider governance situation.
The world football body stressed that suspending the electoral process should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any of the current arrangements within the federation.
Instead, FIFA said the move was necessary to allow both football bodies complete their assessment and engage with relevant stakeholders.
The letter also designated Ikpeme as the primary contact between the NFF, FIFA and CAF until further notice.
FIFA, CAF to visit Abuja
As part of the review process, FIFA and CAF will send a joint delegation to Abuja. In short, this visit forms part of resolving the ongoing FIFA NFF election situation.
The mission is expected to meet the NFF administration, members of Congress, electoral bodies and officials of the National Sports Commission.
FIFA said the meetings would help both bodies understand the different positions surrounding the crisis. They will also determine whether further recommendations should be submitted to the appropriate decision-making bodies.
“Until such time, the outcome of the assessment remains open, and no assumptions should be made as to any action that FIFA and CAF may or may not take,” the letter stated.
The intervention follows a September 1 meeting in Zurich involving FIFA, CAF, NFF officials and representatives of the Federal Government. The meeting was held over proposed reforms in Nigerian football.
