The factional Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board, led by Chris Giwa, says it will reclaim its mandate of August 26, 2014 which returned it as the elected board of the country’s football house.
Adam Yahaya, a member of the Giwa-led board, told newsmen after the board’s meeting in Abuja on Tuesday that they would resume duty at the NFF secretariat on January 12, 2016.
He also said that the Giwa-led board had annulled all decisions and resolutions made by the Amaju Pinnick-led federation.
“The executive board of the NFF duly elected and lawfully sworn in on Aug. 26, 2014 held its meeting from Dec. 21 to Dec. 22, 2015.
“After extensive deliberation on wide range of issues affecting Nigeria football, the following resolutions were reached.
“That the board forthwith appreciates its mandate which was given on August 26, 2014 and to last until August 26, 2018.
“That all decisions and resolutions taken by the purported board of the NFF led by Amaju Pinnick is declared null and void; appointments made during the time are also declared null and void.
“That the executive of the NFF, that is our board, will resume at the NFF secretariat on January 12,’’ Yahaya said.
He said that all relevant bodies, including FIFA, CAF, Minister of Sports, Senate and House Committees on sports would be duly informed on the decision.
Another member of the board, Shehu Adamu, also said they decided to retake the mandate following the collapse of talks with the Pinnick-led board.
Shehu expressed regret that both parties failed to arrive at a compromise at a negotiation table during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which had intervened in the leadership tussle.
“The last administration tried as much as possible to intervene to bring the two parties together for a lasting solution; unfortunately, that did not take place until the end of the administration.
“With the coming of the new administration, we feel they will be operating on the rule of law and because of that, we decided to revive our mandate,’’ he said.
Mr Habila Ardzard, legal adviser of the group, said that the September 30, 2014 election that brought in the Pinnick-led board had since been nullified by a Federal High Court sitting in Jos.
“A Federal High Court in Jos had granted an order of interim injunction restraining the conduct of that election which held on Sept. 30, 2014.
“In disobedience to the court order, that election held and was subsequently nullified by the court.
“Since then, the Federal Government tried to intervene in that matter; unfortunately that matter was never resolved until the last administration left office,’’ Ardzard said.
Meanwhile, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, said that the federation was not aware of the faction’s decision to reclaim its mandate.
