FIFA and the Confederation of African Football have formally requested the suspension of the Nigeria Football Federation’s electoral process until further notice, Bold Sports reports.
The two continental and global football bodies also plan to send a joint assessment mission to Abuja to investigate the circumstances surrounding the recent resignations and administrative changes within the NFF.
In a letter dated September 7 and addressed to Emmanuel Ikpeme, FIFA said no conclusions had been reached on the legality or validity of the developments within the federation.
“FIFA and CAF are currently assessing the legal, governance, administrative, and electoral implications arising from the current circumstances within the NFF,” the letter read.
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“At this stage, FIFA and CAF have not reached any conclusions regarding the matters under review and no determination has been made with respect to any potential next steps.”
The letter follows the August 27 resignations of NFF president Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee amid pressure for reforms following the poor performances of Nigeria’s national teams.
The NFF subsequently announced Ikpeme as interim General Secretary and suspended preparations for its Elective Congress, which had been scheduled for September 27 in Lafia.
However, FIFA’s letter addressed Ikpeme by his previous designation as Deputy General Secretary.
It did not affirm or reject his appointment as interim General Secretary, but requested that he serve as the primary contact between the NFF, FIFA and CAF throughout the assessment.
“In order to facilitate the ongoing communication and coordination required during this assessment process, FIFA and CAF hereby request that you serve as the primary point of contact between the NFF, FIFA and CAF until further notice,” the letter stated.
FIFA and CAF also instructed the federation not to take any further action concerning the suspended election.
“Without prejudice to the outcome of the ongoing assessment, FIFA and CAF request that the ongoing electoral process be suspended and that no further steps or decisions be taken in connection to that process until further notice.”
The letter stressed that the directive was intended to preserve the existing situation while the two bodies complete their investigation.
It added that the suspension should not be interpreted as a ruling on “the validity of any decisions, actions, processes, positions or interpretations” presented by any of the parties involved.
The correspondence followed a September 1 meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich involving representatives of FIFA, CAF, the NFF administration and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
FIFA and CAF said their planned mission to Abuja would provide an opportunity to gather information and meet the major parties involved in the crisis.
The delegation will hold talks with the NFF administration, members of the federation, its electoral bodies and representatives of the Federal Government, including the National Sports Commission.
“The mission will allow FIFA and CAF to better understand the circumstances surrounding the recent developments within the NFF, the views of the various stakeholders and any issues that may require further consideration,” the letter added.
Following the mission, FIFA and CAF will decide whether recommendations or proposals should be submitted to their respective decision-making bodies.
“Until such time, the outcome of the assessment remains open and no assumptions should be made as to any action that FIFA and CAF may or may not take.”
The letter was signed by FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Elkhan Mammadov and copied to CAF.
The development means the September 27 NFF election will remain suspended, while the status of the resignations, interim appointments and wider reform measures remains subject to the FIFA-CAF assessment.
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