NFF ELECTION UPDATE: AMAJU PINNICK TENURE EXTENSION PLEA TURNED DOWN

There was delicate drama on the Nigeria Soccer Federation’s Annual Normal Meeting in Lagos on Thursday because the NFF selected September 30 for election into the board of the federation, however members of the factional gamers unions had been barred from the congress, The PUNCH studies.

The election into the NFF board will maintain in Benin Metropolis, the Edo State capital.

On the congress, NFF president, Pinnick Amaju, whose tenure ends September 20, pleaded for a six-month tenure extension, for the electoral course of to be duly noticed, however his request was vehemently turned down by delegates on the AGA.

He additionally pleaded for forgiveness from members of the board he had offended up to now.

Nevertheless, the congress agreed for a 10-day extension and for 2 committees – electoral and appeals – to be arrange earlier than the election billed for September 30 in Benin Metropolis, the Edo State capital.

Our correspondent additionally gathered that an ‘emergency assembly’ would maintain on August 30, the place the statutes could be amended. That very same day, the electoral and appeals committee could be inaugurated.

The congress will even be enlarged to 22 members, whereas no board member will serve in committees.

Our correspondent learnt that the NFF made a final minute transfer to cease the All Nigeria Gamers Union on Wednesday from attending the congress in a bid to keep away from litigation from the opposite faction Skilled Footballers Affiliation of Nigeria, led by former Tremendous Eagles winger, Tijani Babangida.

However a founding member of ANPU, Monday Kanu, and Olisa Anuchukwu confirmed up on the congress and had been barred by safety operatives on the entrance of the elevator on the reception of the Greatest Western Resort, Victoria Island, venue of the congress.

Kanu brought about a scene and wanted to be held again by Anuchukwu on the lodge’s foyer after he noticed the Katsina State FA chairman, Aminu Kurfi, allowed into the congress regardless of turning up late.

Retired footballer Kanu, nevertheless, declined to talk on the matter with our correspondent.

PFAN president, Babangida, who additionally got here for the congress regardless of not invited, was additionally denied entry into the meeting, when he tried to get in.

It was additionally learnt that the previous Ajax winger, who was in firm with fellow ex-footballers Edema Fuludu, Austin Popo and Harrison Jalla, was later granted entry to the congress as an Observer, however he declined the invitation.

Babangida insisted Thursday’s congress lamented his exclusion from the congress as head of PFAN.

“I don’t know of what occurred as a result of I used to be not invited for the congress because the president of the gamers union. I don’t know what to inform my individuals I signify,” Babangida advised The PUNCH after the congress.

“PFAN is among the 5 statutory our bodies that make up the NFF, together with the coaches union, referees, the golf equipment and the state FAs.

“I don’t know why they see us as factions now, however they paid PFAN the FIFA palliative throughout COVID-19 and are signatories to the gamers union. And that has not modified, however we’re ready for his or her communiqué so we all know the following line of motion.”

The authorized adviser of PFAN Rumson Baribote, added that the congress was “null and void”, following the exclusion of the gamers union.

“The congress held at present (Thursday) was simply a tutorial train the place some delegates got here to have a good time losing of public funds.

“Article 10.1 of the NFF structure states that there are 5 statutory members that make up the federation; that means that they’re foundational members of the federation.

“So, with out one arm, the gamers union, the NFF can’t maintain a sound congress, and will they go forward like they’ve, it’s null and void.

“Excluding the gamers union from the congress is a elementary error on their half, which nullifies all they’ve performed within the congress.”