Sports
SPORTS minister Solomon Dalung has praised the Federal Government for preventing the country from being suspended by FIFA over the leadership crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation.
Nigeria beat FIFA’s Monday deadline to hand over the control of the NFF to the Amaju Pinnick board. The government eventually recognised Pinnick, who is locked in a battle with Chris Giwa over the leadership of the NFF, as the authentic leader of Nigerian football.
Dalung, in a statement by his media aide Nneka Anibeze on Tuesday, commended Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo for intervening in the matter.
He said, “I welcome the intervention of the Vice-President, which saved Nigeria from a suspension threat by FIFA in the lingering crisis of the NFF.
“I believe in the resolution of the crisis which has a history dating back to almost 20 years since the removal of Anthony Kojo Williams from office.
“This crisis cannot be solved with a temporary measure or scratched on the surface.
“The intervention of the vice-president should not be viewed as different from an attempt to abate an escalating situation.”
He, however, said that the matter had a subsisting judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The minister added, “As a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, who took oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will prefer to stand with the rule of law instead of the opinion of men.
“I want to appeal to Nigerians to remain calm and give support to the NFF Elders Stakeholders Reconciliation Committee which is made up of reputable past presidents and general secretaries of the NFF with vast knowledge, experience and competence to resolve this crisis once and for all.”
Tags: FIFA threat: Minister hails Osinbajo
