THE Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on Tuesday reiterated its warning that there must be no external influence in the conduct of the forthcoming elections into the boards of the states Football Associations.
The elections are scheduled to hold in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory between now and end of February.
A statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Ademola Olajire, Assistant Director of Communication of the NFA quoted Seyi Akinwunmi, the Acting Chairman of NFA as saying that the decision was in line with the statutes of the body.
It also quoted Akinwunmi as saying that the NFA would not treat as a sacred cow any state that violates any of the provisions of the statutes.
“We are sending this important message to all the Football Associations of the 36 States and the FCT.
“Any state, where it is found that external influence has played some role, will be visited with the full sanctions applicable; the Nigeria Football Association is serious about this.
“ All the Football Associations of the States and the FCT have a duty to observe the guidelines and the stipulations to the letter, in the true spirit of association football,” the statement quoted Akinwunmi as saying.
Elections into the Boards of the Football Associations of the 36 States and the FCT have been scheduled to hold between Feb. 15 and Feb. 28.
The statement said that most of the states have already fixed dates for their respective elections.
It also said that the Elections Monitoring Committee headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, a board member of the NFA, is presently going through documents submitted by the states for the conduct of the elections.
The delegates’ lists as well as guidelines are also been scrutinised.
The statement further quoted Akinwunmi as urging the various leagues departments to ensure global best practice in the organisation of matches and competitions in the country.
He stated that the gains and the lessons learnt from the just concluded ‘Super 4’ tournament should be taken on board to guarantee much better organization of matches and championships.
