World football’s governing body, FIFA, has yet to determine the next course of action following the mass resignation of officials of the Nigeria Football Federation.
The NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and several members of the federation’s Executive Committee resigned from their positions on August 27 amid growing concerns over the performance of Nigeria’s national teams.
In a letter sent to the NFF Deputy General Secretary, Emmanuel Ikpeme, on Monday, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football said they were still examining the situation before reaching a decision.
FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, said the two bodies were reviewing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications of the developments within the NFF.
The resignations occurred shortly before the NFF election scheduled for September 27 and followed mounting criticism of the federation, particularly after Nigeria’s senior men’s and women’s teams failed to qualify for their respective World Cups.
The National Sports Commission subsequently became involved in efforts to address the crisis following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for action over what he described as repeated failures.
As part of efforts to resolve the situation, an NSC delegation led by its Chairman, Shehu Dikko, met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and other officials at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, on September 1.
FIFA said that despite receiving several communications from Nigerian football stakeholders, it had not reached any conclusion on the matter.
The world football body said its assessment would involve examining the relevant facts, the NFF regulatory framework and the positions of the various stakeholders.
It stressed that no decision had been made regarding possible next steps.
The uncertainty has also put plans for the proposed constitution of a normalisation committee on hold, as FIFA and CAF continue to assess the situation.
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Although Ikpeme was endorsed by the NSC as acting General Secretary of the NFF, FIFA referred to him in its correspondence as the Deputy General Secretary and designated him as the main contact between the NFF, FIFA and CAF until further notice.
FIFA also directed that the September 27 NFF election be suspended to give both football governing bodies time to complete their assessment and consult relevant stakeholders.
The organisation clarified that the suspension should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any position or action taken within the NFF.
Meanwhile, FIFA and CAF are expected to send delegations to Abuja to engage with the NFF, members of the NFF Congress, electoral bodies and officials of the National Sports Commission.
The planned meetings are expected to help the two football bodies gain a clearer understanding of the crisis and determine whether further action is required under FIFA, CAF and NFF regulations.
FIFA said that after completing its assessment, it would decide whether recommendations should be presented to the appropriate decision-making bodies.
Until then, the international body said no assumptions should be made about what action it or CAF may eventually take.