BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU
President of the Authentic Nigeria Football & Allied Sports Supporters Club (ANFASSC), Prince Abayomi Ogunjimi (Bonfrere), has expressed concern over the recent reconciliation efforts led by the Interim Management Committee (IMC), describing them as lacking transparency and genuine stakeholder engagement.
Speaking from London, where he is currently leading ANFASSC members in support of the Super Eagles at the Unity Cup, Ogunjimi acknowledged the efforts of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to unify Supporters Clubs. However, he questioned the approach and execution of the reconciliation meeting held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
He recalled that six Supporters Clubs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the NFF office on February 13, with a key provision being collective participation in major decisions. Ogunjimi expressed concern that the recent stakeholders’ meeting featured sponsorship branding from companies such as Wakanow, Cards, and Kalabash, yet the signatories were not informed or involved in any discussions regarding those partnerships. He stated that this raised questions about transparency and inclusiveness.
Ogunjimi also noted that several key figures who were part of the MOU were not present at the meeting, including himself, which, in his view, undermines the credibility of the process. He questioned how reconciliation could be considered meaningful without the involvement of primary stakeholders and emphasized that unity must be built on mutual respect and honest collaboration.
Addressing legal and governance issues, Ogunjimi reaffirmed that the Supporters Clubs are registered organizations under Nigerian law, specifically the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), and are not subject to unilateral directives.
He cited a recent meeting with the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, who reaffirmed that status and the independence of these groups.
Ogunjimi concluded by aligning with the NSC’s position that all Supporters Clubs can work together during national team matches by singing unified songs and coordinating support in the stadium, without requiring the dissolution or merger of existing groups.
He stressed that unity should not come at the cost of existing structures and that any reconciliation must be built on trust, inclusivity, and respect for established organizations.
