FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have suspended further steps in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) electoral process pending an assessment of the deepening crisis in Nigerian football.
The decision follows reports of an agreement between FIFA and the National Sports Commission (NSC), led by its Chairman, Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Bukola Olopade, on proposed reforms to Nigerian football.
However, FIFA said no final agreement or conclusion had been reached on the matter.
In an email dated September 7 and addressed to Barrister Emmanuel Ikpeme, FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, said FIFA and CAF were assessing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications arising from the current situation within the NFF.
He said the assessment would involve a review of the relevant facts, the NFF regulatory framework and the positions communicated by the various stakeholders.
Mammadov stated that FIFA and CAF had not reached any conclusions and that no decision had been made on possible next steps.
FIFA also recognised Ikpeme as Deputy General Secretary rather than Acting General Secretary and asked him to remain the primary point of contact between the NFF, FIFA and CAF until further notice.
The global football governing body further directed that the ongoing NFF electoral process be suspended, with no further steps or decisions taken until the assessment is completed.
According to FIFA, the directive was intended to preserve the status quo while FIFA and CAF engage with stakeholders and assess the situation.
It stressed that the suspension should not be interpreted as a determination on the validity of decisions, actions, processes or positions taken by any of the stakeholders involved.
FIFA and CAF also announced plans to conduct a joint assessment mission to Abuja at the earliest opportunity.
The mission is expected to meet representatives of the NFF administration, NFF members, the NFF electoral bodies and the Federal Government, including officials of the NSC.
FIFA said the mission would help the two football bodies better understand the circumstances surrounding recent developments within the NFF and identify issues requiring further consideration under the applicable FIFA, CAF and NFF regulations.
After completing the assessment, FIFA said it would determine whether recommendations or proposals should be submitted to the appropriate decision-making bodies within FIFA and CAF.
The organisation emphasised that the outcome of the assessment remained open and that no final position had been taken on the proposed reforms or the next steps in resolving the NFF crisis.
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