Minister faults emergence of sole candidate for NFF chairmanship poll

The National Sports Commission has faulted the electoral process which saw the emergence of only Chris Giwa as eligible candidate for the Nigeria Football Federation board chairmanship position.
The Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, while briefing the media on Wednesday in Abuja, said the process leading to the August 26 NFA board elections was fraudulent and unacceptable.
Danagog said the commission’s position was based on complaints by the NFF board led by the Acting Chairman, Mike Umeh, which paid him a visit earlier on Wednesday.
The Amoni Biambo-led electoral committee had earlier on Wednesday disqualified Taiwo Ogunjobi, Segun Odegbami and Mike Umeh as chairmanship candidates.
Danagogo said: “Some NFA board members came to brief the NSC about the electoral process, and concerning the list of cleared candidates for the forthcoming elections.
“And surprisingly, only one candidate was cleared by the electoral committee for the position of the chairman.
“The board said they met and resolved that the list of cleared candidates is unacceptable because the process is not only fraudulent but manifestly corrupt and unacceptable.
“And at the NSC, we have agreed with them on not accepting the outcome of the whole process.
“Although we will not conduct elections for the NFF, but we will not support any process that looks fraudulent, biased and orchestrated.
“And we enjoin them to do everything possible to conduct free and fair elections and to also make sure that the electoral process is free and fair.
Danagogo, who is also the NSC Chairman, however, appealed to stakeholders to bear with the NFF and be patient with it in ensuring that every football stakeholder was given a level playing ground.
He added: “The whole process has not been open nor transparent and a level playing ground has not been created for all parties concerned.
“But, I appeal to all stakeholders to bear with the NFF and be patient with it as the board is doing everything possible to ensure that the elections are free and fair.”
The sports minister however denounced rumours that he has a personal interest in who becomes the new NFA Chairman.
He said his only interest was to ensure that stakeholders were carried along and given equal representation.
He added: “I have heard rumours that I have interest in whoever emerges as the Chairman, but I want to state categorically that it is untrue and I have no interest.
“The only interest I have is for all the stakeholders to look for a credible candidate to represent them in the quest to take Nigerian football to the next level.”