World Press Conference: Gusau To Clarify NFF Election Status,  Normalize Committee,  Resignation Reports

World Press Conference: Gusau To Clarify NFF Election Status,  Normalize Committee,  Resignation Reports 

By Niyi Busari 

 The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, is scheduled to address journalists in Abuja on Thursday (today) as uncertainty and competing reports continue to surround the federation ahead of its forthcoming elective congress, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The media briefing is expected to take place at 12 noon at the NFF headquarters, Sunday Dankaro Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Gusau is expected to use the occasion to provide clarification on a number of issues that have dominated discussions within Nigerian football in recent weeks, particularly reports concerning the 2026 NFF elections, the future of the current Executive Committee and alleged pressure on the federation's leadership to resign.

The NFF's Elective Congress is officially scheduled for September 27, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The date was moved from September 26 following the scheduling of Nigeria's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar for September 25. The NFF said the adjustment was intended to allow candidates and other stakeholders attending the match to participate in the congress.

However, the election timetable has been overshadowed by a series of reports about alleged government intervention in the administration of Nigerian football.

Among the reports that have circulated is a claim that the National Sports Commission (NSC) was considering cancelling the scheduled election and establishing a normalisation committee to oversee the affairs of the NFF pending a fresh electoral process.

The reports generated considerable uncertainty within the football community. However, the NSC was silent about the reports that the Federal Government had ordered the NFF leadership to resign, while acknowledging that consultations were ongoing on how to address challenges confronting Nigerian football.

There have also been reports that some members of the NFF Executive Committee resigned from the board. A report published by THISDAY indicated that as many as nine members had allegedly considered the option of resigning en masse, although such reports have not been independently confirmed by the NFF.

Against this backdrop, Gusau's decision to face the media is expected to provide an opportunity for the NFF president to respond directly to the various claims and distinguish between confirmed developments and speculation.

One of the issues likely to attract attention is whether Gusau has been asked by the Presidency, the NSC or the Department of State Services (DSS) to resign. Claims concerning an alleged resignation directive have circulated widely, but no official statement confirming such an order has been established. The NSC has specifically refrained from commenting on the reports that the Federal Government ordered the NFF leadership to quit.

Questions have also been raised about Gusau's whereabouts amid speculation that he was avoiding possible arrest by the DSS. Those claims were thrown into further doubt on Wednesday when the NFF president appeared publicly at the unveiling of the Nigeria Premier Football League's new identity and its new commercial partnership with EuroMatch in Abuja.

The NPFL unveiled a new logo and announced a three-year, $7.5 million title sponsorship agreement with EuroMatch, worth $2.5 million per season. Sixty per cent of the sponsorship proceeds is expected to go to the participating clubs. Gusau was among the prominent football stakeholders who attended the event.

The timing of today's briefing is particularly significant, coming just days before the NFF's electoral process enters a decisive phase. According to the published election roadmap, the screening of candidates is scheduled for August 27–30, the list of cleared candidates is expected on August 31, while the final list is due to be published between September 11 and 12. Campaigning by cleared candidates is scheduled for September 14–24.

The controversy comes at a familiar point in the NFF's electoral cycle. Nigerian football elections have historically been accompanied by intense lobbying, political manoeuvring, competing interests and allegations of government interference, particularly in the period immediately preceding the Elective Congress.

Beyond the election itself, the NFF president is expected to address the broader state of Nigerian football, including recent concerns over the performances of the national teams and the relationship between the football federation and government authorities.

With conflicting accounts continuing to circulate, the key question facing the media briefing is whether Gusau can provide definitive answers on the status of the September 27 election, the alleged resignation pressure, the reported intervention by the NSC and the future of the current NFF leadership.

Thursday's briefing could consequently become one of the most significant public appearances by the NFF president ahead of the 2026 Elective Congress.