BY ONOR IKECHUKWU MIKEL
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday inaugurated its Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee, which are saddled with the conduct, and adjudication on complaints, petitions and appeals, of the elections into the NFF Executive Committee for the period 2026-2030.
President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON inaugurated the committees at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, during which he charged them to discharge their duties creditably and with no fear or favour for any of the candidates.
Barr. Matthew Burka’a, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who spoke on behalf of the committees, pledged that the two committees will accord the assignment the seriousness it deserves, and conduct an election that will be a marker for future polls in both the football sphere and the wider political space.
“We will approach this task with the seriousness it deserves. On behalf of all the members, I assure the NFF, football-loving Nigerians and the world at large that we are going to conduct a free, fair, credible and acceptable election.
“We are aware of the attention of the entire world, FIFA, CAF and the Nigeria Football family on the task we have been saddled with. There is nothing to fear. We will work assiduously towards this election being the best-ever in the history of the Nigeria Football Federation.”
Gusau, before inaugurating the committees, announced that Barr. Matthew Burka’a (SAN) alongside Alhaji Babagoni Grema, Alhaji Bature Musa, Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie, Esq and Hon. (Dr) Akogun Olugbenga Omole will serve in the Electoral Committee, with Arinze Azubuike Anughele, Esq and Abayomi Akin Omoyimi, Esq as alternate members.
Hon. Justice C. J. Aneke, Barr. Benjamin Sati and Professor Abdulmalik Awwal will make up the Electoral Appeals Committee, with FIFA Emmanuel Dada Obafemi and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam as alternates.
Gusau also announced that in accordance with the provisions of the NFF Statutes, the NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, MON will serve as secretary to both committees.
This year’s elections into the NFF Executive Committee will take place in Lafia, Nasarawa State on Saturday, 26th September.
At the occasion as well were Director General of the National Institute for Sports, His Excellency Comrade Philip Shaibu; NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; NFF Executive Committee members His Excellency Silas Agara and Chief George Aluo; NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi and; a number of NFF Management and Staff.