House Wades into NFF Crisis

By Damilola Oyedele

The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Sports to interface with all parties involved in the lingering crisis in the Nigerian Football Federation, with a view to ensuring its resolution.

This, the House said, is necessary as the crisis has already culminated in the inability of the national team, the Super Eagles to qualify for the African Cup of Nations, and could therefore jeopardise chances of qualification for the next World Cup in 2018.

The NFF has been engulfed in a crisis following a leadership tussle between Mr. Amadu Pinnick and Mr. Rufus Giwa who are both laying claim to the presidency of the body.

The resolution of the House followed a motion under matter of urgent public importance by Hon. Prestige Ossy (Abia APGA) who warned that the crisis could affect the performance of Team Nigeria at the upcoming Olympic Games in Brazil.

Ossy added that it is necessary to save the game which has served as a uniting factor for all Nigerians irrespective of their religious, ethnic or political affiliations.

Hon. Diri Nonye  (Bayelsa PDP) said since Nigeria has already graduated to exporting footballers to Europe and the rest of the world, the NFF crises must be resolved as soon as possible.

He appealed to the warring parties to sheathe their swords in the interest of the nation.

Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (Delta PDP) lamented that the NFF has been involved in  crises which has drew the attention of world football governing body, Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

“Nigerians enjoy football, it brings the youth together and engages them, so we have to keep that sector in order,” he said.