NFF Defy Government Order For Emergency Congress To Hold In Abuja

The NFF have again taken the Federal Government of Nigeria head on after they defied an order for the now controversial Emergency General Assembly to hold in Abuja as they have opted to have the Congress in Lagos on August 18.

The Emergency Congress was earlier fixed for Yenagoa on Tuesday, August 16, amid confusion that it had been moved by a day to August 17.

Officials have  promised that a formal notice for the change in date and venue to August 18 in Lagos will be sent out to the delegates without further delay.

This will then be against a directive communicated to the NFF by the Permanent Secretary of the Sports Ministry Ismaila Abubakar that the General Assembly be held in Abuja.

In a letter to NFF President Amaju Pinnick dated August 9, 2022, the top Sports Ministry official said that in view of the fact that the court order, which aborted the Annual General Assembly in December 2021, originated from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State,  it will not be advisable that the Emergency Congress also take place in Yenagoa.

“…the view of the ministry is that the Annual General Meeting/Congress should be held in Abuja, being the Federal Capital Territory instead of Bayelsa State to allow for Stakeholders confidence as well  as easy access and effective participation by all the Congress members,” Abubakar communicated in his official correspondence to the NFF.

This advice has now not been heeded by the NFF.