FIFA Ban: Chris Giwa Remains Authentic NFF President-NANF

By Godwin Aikigbe National Association of Nigeria Footballers (NANF), says Ambassador Christopher remains President of Nigeria Football Federation. This is according to Monday’s release signed by President of the players’ body, Harrison Jalla, in the wake of the purported statement from media aide to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande’s Twitter handle, purporting to have recognized the Amaju Pinnick-led Board in spite of a Supreme Court Judgment. Jalla described the statement as a pyrrhic victory, adding that the purported position of the Federal Government has not resolved the crisis, but would rather escalate it. The release partly read: “That the statement from the special assistance to the Vice President on media purporting to have recognized the Amaju Pinnick Board to avert a possible FiFA ban has not vitiated the Supreme Court Judgment. “That the purported position of the Federal Government has not resolved the crisis it would rather escalate the crisis. “The principle of separation of powers is a tenet of Democracy, the Executive arm of Government cannot over rule the Judicial arm of Government. “That there is no peace without justice.” The purported statement from the office of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, came on the throes of the country being suspended from all FIFA organized football competitions due to the protracted leadership crisis at the Nigeria Football Federation. Ambassador Chris Giwa, who won the initial election in 2014, is backed by laws, empowered by a ruling by the Supreme Court in April, which left him in possession of the reins until determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court, sitting in Jos. Both parties have been in court since 2014 when the football body flagrantly disobeyed an order of the Federal High Court in Jos to organize the election that ushered in the Pinnick-led Board. Pinnick won at Appeal Court and occupied the office until April when the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Giwa, restoring the order which annulled the Warri Congress that produced Pinnick. Credit: sportsrollcall