Fresh NFF Crisis Looms

Giwa and Pinnick

Gladiators of the Nigeria Football Federation crisis are warming up for a fresh round of controversy as the appeals committee is expected to meet between November 11 and 12 to examine all the petitions emanating from the September 30 elections held in Warri, Delta State.

Several protests challenging the eligibility of Mr. Amaju Pinnick will be entertained and his main antagonist, Chris Giwa is waiting in the wings to raise some dust just in case, these petitions turn the tables against Pinnick. They include that “the election was not supposed to be held in the back yard of the one of the contestants,” and “Mr. Pinnick is holding three different portfolios at the time of his election. These protests were filed by several aggrieved parties including Barrister Ike Igbokwe, Abba Suleiman and others.

It was gathered that Mr. Giwa is head strong and optimistic that at the appropriate time he will reclaim his “mandate”.

“Mr. Giwa has not given up at all. He is waiting for the out come of the protests from the election in Warri before embarking on the next line of action,” said an associate of the Giwa FC proprietor who was elected president of the NFF in an August 26 poll, that was not authenticated by the world soccer governing body as it did not follow procedure.

Giwa obtained a court verdict which sacked the board led by Mr. Pinnick in October. But he withdrew case to save Nigeria from being banned by FIFA.

It was learnt that it was the Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo who prevailed on the President, Goodluck Jonathan to wade into the matter to save Nigeria from another embracement.

Giwa withdrew the case at the prompting of the President. But he and Pinnick were advised to reach a settlement, however, it seem both men are reluctant to give in, since they both lay claim to the top seat of the NFF.