Shifting of State FA's Election Date By NFF Act of Illegality, Impunity - Baribote

Shifting of State FA's Election Date By NFF Act of Illegality, Impunity - Baribote

By Niyi Busari

Former Nigeria Premier League boss, Barrister Rumson Baribote has said that the Nigeria Football Federation lacked the power to shift 36 states FA elections, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Baribote who described it as an act of illegality and impunity added there is nowhere in NFF, CAF and FIFA statutes where the nation's football governing body is empowered to take such decision.

According to him, the state FA election remains an internal affair and each should be independent to manage its election without the external affair.

"NFF does not have the power to shift not intervene in any state election because it remains an internal affair. Shifting of all 36 states elections is an act of impunity and illegality. Baribote told www.bsnsports.com.ng

"There is nowhere in any statute where they are empowered to do such, it is an act of desperation."

Baribote cited Article 17 of FIFA statute and Article 18 of NFF statute to back his claim.

The statutes read; "the state league and state FA election must be independent to manage their affairs without external influence."

He added that some states FA tenure expired in January while others will expire in February, March and the NFF shifts the election to May/June.

He argued that one can only administer drugs to a sick person but such cannot be said of a dead person because no amount of drugs could wake the dead.

"Some states FA tenure have expired in January while some will expire in February and March. In such cases, the boards are spending more than 4 years in office which is against the statute."

NFF after an e-meeting suspended all 36 states and FCT FAs election processes till May/June 2019.