I was privileged to receive a copy of a letter written and signed by Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, the Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and addressed to the Chairman of the NFF Electoral Committee (Temporary).
I have studied the letter carefully and considered its contents against the developments that have followed the resignation of the NFF President, General Secretary and members of the Executive Committee.
For me, the letter is far more significant than a simple letter of appreciation. It provides an important insight into the actual state of the NFF electoral process and what could happen next.
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The resignation of Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Mohammed Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee brought the previous electoral arrangements into uncertainty, coming just about a month before the 27 September Elective Congress scheduled for Lafia. The NFF subsequently confirmed that all processes leading to the election had been suspended.
Dr Ikpeme’s letter acknowledges the work and sacrifices of the temporary Electoral Committee while making it clear that the circumstances surrounding the leadership changes have fundamentally altered the electoral process.
It describes the impact of the resignations as being of “seismic proportion” on Nigerian football.
But what does the letter really mean for Nigerian football?
- The old Electoral roadmap is no longer operative
The first and most important message is that the electoral process that was designed to culminate in the 27 September Elective Congress has effectively come to an end.
The NFF had earlier published a detailed electoral timetable, including the sale of forms, screening of candidates, appeals and publication of the final list of cleared candidates.
That process is no longer the basis for the next election.
The NFF itself announced on 27 August that all processes initiated in preparation for the 27 September Elective Congress had been suspended and that a fresh electoral process would commence only after the anticipated reforms.
This is a major development and it means that stakeholders should stop viewing the September election as a postponed election waiting to be rescheduled. What is now being contemplated is a new electoral process.
- The NFF has entered a transitional period
Following the resignations, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme was endorsed by the National Sports Commission to oversee the NFF Secretariat as interim General Secretary, while Dr Ademola Olajire became interim Deputy General Secretary.
These arrangements are designed to maintain the day-to-day administration of Nigerian football while discussions continue on the future structure of the federation.
This is why the present situation should not be treated merely as another change of NFF leadership. It is a transition. The bigger question is what kind of NFF will emerge from it.
- The Reform Process is more important than the Next Election
This, in my view, is the most important lesson from the letter.
If the entire exercise ends simply with another election producing new personalities under the same structures, Nigeria may have achieved very little. The real opportunity is to examine the system itself.
The NFF has already stated that a fresh electoral process will follow comprehensive reforms undertaken in consultation with FIFA and CAF.
- The Grassroots Structure Deserves Serious Attention
Any meaningful reform must begin from the foundation of Nigerian football. The local football structures cannot continue to be treated merely as electoral machinery.
If the reform process is genuinely intended to rebuild Nigerian football, Local Government football structures, State Football Associations, clubs, leagues, players, coaches, referees and other recognised stakeholders must have meaningful roles.
The strength of a national football federation depends heavily on the quality of the structures beneath it.
We cannot continue to discuss reform at the national level while ignoring the conditions under which football is administered at the grassroots.
- FIFA and CAF are now Even More Important
The NFF crisis cannot be resolved entirely through domestic decisions. FIFA and CAF are important because the NFF operates within the international football governance system. The latest development makes this even clearer.
On 7 September, FIFA and CAF directed the NFF to suspend the electoral process and said they would conduct a joint assessment of the leadership and governance crisis. They also directed that no further steps be taken in connection with the electoral process until their assessment is completed.
This means the next stage of the Nigerian football crisis will not be determined by Abuja alone.
The reform process must therefore be conducted in a manner that respects both Nigerian realities and the applicable international football framework.
- Stakeholders Must Be Given a Genuine Voice
The reform process must not become another exercise controlled by a few individuals.
State Football Associations, clubs, players, coaches, referees, women’s football, youth football, professional leagues and other recognised football stakeholders should be properly consulted.
Consultation should not mean inviting people to a meeting simply to announce decisions that have already been taken.
Stakeholders must be allowed to make meaningful contributions to the structure that will eventually govern Nigerian football.
- The New Electoral Framework Must Be Clear
When the time comes for a new election, the rules must be clear from the beginning.
Eligibility requirements should be transparent.
Nomination procedures should be unambiguous.
Screening should be conducted fairly.
Appeals should be handled independently and within clearly defined timelines.
The composition of the electoral college should also be open to scrutiny.
Most importantly, no individual or group should be allowed to manipulate the process for personal or political advantage.
- Governance and Financial Accountability Must Be Central
Nigeria does not need another reform that concentrates only on elections. The NFF also needs stronger financial controls, transparent budgeting, regular audits, proper reporting and professional administration.
Football development funds must be properly accounted for.
Statutory meetings must be held.
Financial statements should be available to the appropriate stakeholders.
Decisions affecting Nigerian football should be properly documented.
Good governance should not begin and end with an election.
- Football Development Must Not Be Forgotten
While administrators are dealing with the governance crisis, football itself must continue.
The Super Eagles, Super Falcons, youth teams, domestic leagues, grassroots football, women’s football, refereeing, coaching and player development cannot be placed on hold.
The crisis should become a reason to improve football administration, not an excuse for further deterioration in the game.
What the Letter really means
For me, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme’s 28 August letter is an important document because it provides a clear indication that the previous NFF electoral process has effectively been overtaken by events.
The resignation of the NFF leadership changed the situation.
The old electoral roadmap was suspended.
The NFF moved into an interim administrative arrangement.
A broader reform process was announced.
And now FIFA and CAF have stepped in to assess the situation and have directed that the electoral process remain suspended pending their review.
Therefore, I do not see the letter merely as a “Letter of Appreciation”.
I see it as a document that marks the closing of one chapter of the NFF electoral process and the opening of another.
The responsibility of Nigerian football stakeholders now is to remain calm, vigilant and constructive.
Nobody should see the present situation simply as an opportunity to capture the NFF.
It should be seen as an opportunity to rebuild it.
The ultimate question should not be who will become the next NFF President?
The bigger question is: What kind of Nigeria Football Federation do we want to build?
If this transition produces a more democratic, transparent, accountable and professionally managed federation, then the present crisis would not have been entirely in vain.
But if it ends with merely replacing one set of personalities with another while leaving the weaknesses of the system untouched, then Nigeria would have wasted another opportunity to reform its football administration.
