Daily Independent (Lagos)
19 May 2011
The Nigeria Football Federation has rubbished a report that claimed that that its leadership invited CPC Presidential candidate, Maj-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to an international football match at the National Stadium, Abuja at the end of March, 2011.
President of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari was stunned that certain elements fabricating all sorts of lies and schemes against the Federation have got busier and more political this time.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigeria Football Federation never invited Maj-General Buhari to the match against Ethiopia as some fellows are now reporting. That match took place almost two months ago and if there was any truth about this, the mischievous characters should have come out with their talk before now.
“The said Presidential aspirant bought his VIP ticket on the open market like any other Nigerian, and sat in the VIP Extension like everyone who had an ordinary VIP ticket. If we had invited him, he would have sat in the State Box and we would have received him on his arrival at the Stadium. Let it be known that when he arrived at the Stadium, we did not even accord him recognition.
“When security reports informed us that he was coming to the Stadium, I immediately informed the Honourable Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Professor Taoheed Adedoja about this.
“We strongly challenge these faceless fellows to come out with all the evidence they claim to have to support their story. We have a good idea of the unprogressive characters who are behind this fabrication and others that may come out in the coming days. We are very much ready for them.
“We have the utmost loyalty to the Government of His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, who has done so much to support Nigeria football and support the cause of the youth all along, even while he was the Vice President. The Nigeria Football Federation is hugely indebted to Mr. President for all he has done for Nigeria football.
“This latest effort by our detractors has again fallen flat on its face”, said Maigari.
AllAfrica – All the Time
See more here:
Nigeria/Ethiopia: NFF – We Did Not Invite Buhari to Ethiopia Match