FIFA, CAF suspend NFF electoral process amid leadership crisis

FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have suspended the ongoing electoral process of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and announced plans to send a joint assessment mission to Nigeria amid the leadership crisis rocking the football governing body.

The decision was contained in a joint communication from FIFA and CAF to the NFF following recent developments within the federation, including the resignation of the NFF President, members of the Executive Committee and the General Secretary.

The statement, signed by FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, said the two governing bodies were still assessing the “legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications” arising from the developments and had yet to reach a conclusion.

FIFA and CAF also referenced a meeting held at the Home of FIFA in Zurich on September 1 involving representatives of FIFA, CAF, the NFF administration and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The meeting focused on the situation within the federation and the implications of the recent developments.

“At this stage, FIFA and CAF have not reached any conclusions regarding the matters under review and no determination has been made with respect to any potential next steps,” the statement said.

As part of measures to coordinate communication while the assessment continues, FIFA and CAF designated the NFF Deputy General Secretary as the primary point of contact between the federation and the two football governing bodies until further notice.

They also directed the NFF to immediately suspend its ongoing electoral process.

“Furthermore, and without prejudice to the outcome of the ongoing assessment, FIFA and CAF request that the ongoing electoral process be suspended and that no further steps or decisions be taken in connection to that process until further notice,” the statement said.

According to FIFA and CAF, the decision was taken to preserve the status quo while they complete their assessment and consult the relevant stakeholders.

“This request is made in order to preserve the status quo while FIFA and CAF complete their assessment of the current situation and engage with the relevant stakeholders,” they said.

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The two bodies stressed that the suspension should not be interpreted as a ruling on the validity of any decisions or actions taken by stakeholders involved in the NFF crisis.

FIFA and CAF said they would send a joint assessment mission to Abuja “at the earliest possible opportunity” to engage stakeholders and gather information for a comprehensive review of the situation.

The mission is expected to meet representatives of the NFF administration, NFF members, the federation’s electoral bodies and the Federal Government, including the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The assessment will seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the recent developments, understand the positions of the various stakeholders and identify issues requiring further consideration under the applicable FIFA, CAF and NFF regulations.

Following the assessment, FIFA and CAF said they would determine whether recommendations or proposals should be submitted to their respective decision-making organs.

“Until such time, the outcome of the assessment remains open and no assumptions should be made as to any action that FIFA and CAF may or may not take,” the statement added.

The development places the NFF electoral process on hold as FIFA and CAF continue their review of the leadership crisis and prepare to engage directly with the key stakeholders in Nigeria.

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