FG Disowns Dalung, Upholds FIFA’s Decision On NFF Leadership

In what could be described as timely, the Federal Government has conveyed to the world football governing body, FIFA, that Amaju Pinnick remains the only recognized President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

The government’s response was contained in a statement by Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant Media and Publicity to Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday.

The development comes hours before the proposed deadline handed to the NFF by FIFA, to hand over the Presidency of the country’s football body to Pinnick or face being suspended.

The minister of sports, Solomon Dalung, had challenged FIFA to treat Nigeria with respect as the country will not bow to its request to ensure Pinnick remains the only recognized President of the NFF.

Dalung’s remarks came after FIFA declined for a meeting proposed by the minister in Zurich, Switzerland.

Following the minister’s comments, football loving Nigerians were expecting the country to be suspended later today, but the government has now put all the hysteria to rest by its response.

“The FG has already conveyed to FIFA its firm position recognizing Amaju Pinnick-led NFF as the current & only NFF Exco,” Akande wrote on Twitter.

“Govt will also continue to work with all relevant stakeholders involved to resolve dispute in a timely manner. FG is upholding NFF treaty obligations to FIFA.”

The FG has already conveyed to FIFA its firm position recognizing Amaju Pinnick-led NFF as the current & only NFF Exco. Govt will also continue to work with all relevant stakeholders involved to resolve dispute in a timely manner. FG is upholding NFF treaty obligations to FIFA

— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) August 20, 2018