Anambra FA Election: Ifeanyi Ubah Floors NFF Citing External Interference, Double Standard

  Anambra FA Election: Ifeanyi Ubah Floors NFF Citing External Interference, Double Standard By Niyi Busari Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, the only investor in Nigeria football who has pumped in over Seven billion naira (N7b) to develop the game has has described the Nigeria Football Federation and Anambra State Government's role in the state's FA Election as external interference, BSNSports.com.ng reports. Citing NFF statute, which frowns at government interference and also very clear on the fact that State FA election is exclusively an internal matter and only the Electoral Committee has the power to annul or accept the result of state FA election. The Electoral Committee had on August 2nd 2020 announced Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as the winner of the election but the NFF rejected the result saying they were not aware of the election. The NFF then set up a Caretaker Committee whose leadership and membership is filled with those who were part of the election that produced Ifeanyi Ubah as the Chairman. Chairman, Anambra State FA, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah pointed out that going by the NFF statute, the federation lacked power to inaugurate a Caretaker Committee which they (NFF) confirmed in their letter  to Katsina FA dated April 17th, 2020 stating clearly that FIFA, CAF NFF and Katsina FA statutes do not contemplate or provide for  Caretaker Committee. The minister of youth and sports, Sunday Dare invited both parties to find a lasting solution to the election imbroglio.

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Sequel to the outcome of the invitation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to look into the affairs of the Anambra FA crisis, the NFF Chairman of Chairmen, Ibrahim Gusua could not defend the statutes that backs the rejection of the August 2nd, 2020 held in Akwa, Anambra State. In the meeting held at the instance of Mr Sunday Dare, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development where all the stakeholders were in attendance. Gusau, a member of the NFF board wrongfully quoted Article 85 of the NFF statutes stating "about matters not provided for". That is, they can use their discretion but Barrister Baribote, a former NFF 2nd VP and Consultant to Senator Ubah by referring him to the Article 18, Sub 2 that gives the local FA congress powers to sort their internal issues without interference. . In his response, the Chairman, Anambra FA, Distinguished Senator, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah backed his election with a 169 pages of illegalities contravening the football rule books and insisted that he remains the elected Chairman of the FA having fulfilled all the electoral guidelines. Speaking further, after the peace meeting, Ubah, the sole financier of every football activities in Anambra state said he has not gotten a dime as subvention or royalty from the government in the last six years but the government is quick to step into football matters citing covid rules as a move against our election processes. In conclusion, Dr Ubah praised Mr Sunday Dare, Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development for prevailing on the Anambra FA election and saving Nigeria football from anarchy. The Minister will come out with his white paper on October 13th, 2020.