By Attah Ede
The world football governing body, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), has formally received and accepted the resignations of the former principal officers and members of the Nigerian Football Federation’s Executive Committee.
The NFF disclosed this on Tuesday while dismissing a purported letter allegedly issued by FIFA over the circumstances surrounding the changes in the federation’s leadership.
The federation described the letter circulating in sections of the media as “totally fake”, noting that FIFA had already accepted the resignations of the former NFF officials.
The NFF also said discussions involving the National Sports Commission (NSC), the NFF administration, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) were ongoing with FIFA over comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football.
The engagement with FIFA is focused on agreeing on a roadmap for the reforms in line with the relevant rules, books, and statutes.
“NFF has debunked news of a ‘letter’ circulating in sections of the media as being from world-football governing body, FIFA.
“It is totally fake. FIFA has already accepted the resignations of former principal officers and Members of the NFF Exco and mutual engagement between the NSC, NFF administration, CAF is ongoing with FIFA on the comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football, including agreeing a road map going forward in accordance to the relevant rules books and statutes,” NFF said.
Former NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau had confirmed his resignation at a news conference in Abuja last Thursday.
His resignation came before the end of his tenure, which was due to expire in September.
Following the development, the NFF constituted an interim administrative structure, appointing former Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme as Interim General Secretary and former Head of the Media and Communications Department Ademola Olajire as Interim Deputy General Secretary.
The changes followed growing concerns over the state of Nigerian football and calls for reforms.
