Umeh begs FIFA for NFF Aug 26 elections

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari

Nigeria Football Federation vice-president Mike Umeh has allegedly asked FIFA to order for elections into the executive committee of the NFF on August 26, Africanfootball.comreports.

This followed the decision on Tuesday of the NFF executive committee led by its president, Aminu Maigari for the general assembly in Warri to draw up a road map that will include shifting the elections from August 26 so as to bring on board a majority of aspirants who were denied access to nomination forms for the football polls.

Former Kano Pillars chairman Abba Yola, Lobi Stars vice-chairman Dominic Iorfa as well as current executive committee members like Sulaiman Yahaya-Kwande and Chris Green were among many others not given nomination forms even after they had paid for them.

Umeh acted as president when Maigari was purportedly impeached by the executive committee and this week was cleared to vie for the NFF presidency after he was initially not cleared for putting in for the post of presidency even though he bought a vice-president’s form.

Umeh’s loyalists on the executive committee – Shehu Adamu, Deji Tinubu, Suleyman Muazu and Effiong Johnson – have all been cleared for the elections and stayed away from Tuesday’s meeting chaired by Maigari.

In a five-page letter dated August 19 and addressed to FIFA, Umeh asked, “That the electoral process as being implemented by the electoral committee of November 2013 in Warri be allowed to run its course leading to the electoral (sic) on 26th August 2014 as proposed and ratified by the General Assembly of November 2014.”

Incidentally, the only official correspondences from the NFF admitted by FIFA are those signed by the general secretary or the president.

Umeh’s latest position is in sharp departure to an official statement credited to him on August 5 before FIFA ruled that Maigari’s impeachment was illegal as it was not in accordance with the NFF statutes.

“We have received phone calls, phone messages and emails, and there have been media reports of persons being denied forms for unclear reasons,” Umeh was quoted in the NFF press statement and duly signed by assistant director (communications) Ademola Olajire.

“The litany of complaints and widespread condemnation has been deafening. The best legacy that this team can give to Nigeria football is a flawless electoral process leading to credible elections.”

Umeh further assured that the NFF would not turn a deaf ear to the cries of those genuinely desirous of purchasing forms but who have been unduly denied.

“We will look at the issues arising from the entire process and take a decision that will be in the interest of, not only those bonafide members of the family who have been short -circuited, but also of the system.

“All persons eligible to purchase forms should be able to. It should be a level-playing field for all because we are keen on credible elections that will satisfy the yearnings of Nigerian ball fans and make our country proud.”