Nigeria: Ekeji Says Parley With Football Stakeholders to go Ahead as Planned

Daily Independent (Lagos)

Tony Ezimakor

14 June 2011

Abuja — Director General of National Sports Commission (NSC) Patrick Ekeji has said that his parley with Nigerian football stakeholders slated for Thursday will go ahead as planned whether or not the Nigeria Football Federation board under Aminu Maigari sees reason to summon the congress of the football.

Consequently, he has restated the commitment of the NSC to a successful resolution of current imbroglio in the house of football without fear or favour.

He disclosed that despite the stubbornness of the NFF leadership and what seems a complete disregard of the pivotal role of the NSC in sports and football administration, that invitation has also been extended to members of the NFF to be part of the meeting in Abuja.

The NSC DG had at the weekend requested that the NFF summon its congress to an emergency meeting but instead of heeding the counsel in the light of the trouble facing it, the NFF under Maigari insisted that it will not be compelled to summon an ‘Extra-Ordinary Congress’ at the instance of the NSC.

The DG had earlier on Monday made it clear that it was in the interest of the NFF to summon the congress considering the serious infractions to rules of engagement to the Nigerian State by the NFF.

We also gathered that the NFF had earlier refused to reply to NSC’s letter seeking clarification over the damning affidavit which the NFF deposed in Lagos Federal High court where it claimed that it is a private organization. An aide of the DG disclosed that the despite the time line given the NFF, the football body refused to respond to the communication till date. Meanwhile, the NFF is said to be seeking audience with the DG on the way forward for football slated for tomorrow.

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