*Approves Ikpeme As Interim General Secretary
THE National Sports Commission (NSC) has suspended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), elective congress scheduled to hold in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on September 27.
NSC said a new process will be held after the completion of comprehensive reforms, in consultation with the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that president of the NFF, Ibrahim Gusau, and members of the Executive Committee, including the general secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, announced their resignations at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, August 27.
Meanwhile, the Commission has approved the appointment of Emmanuel Ikpeme and Ademola Olajire as interim General Secretary and Deputy Secretary General, respectively.
Chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One have been directed to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their chief operating officers, who are members of staff of the NFF.
Ikpeme will to oversee the NFF secretariat in interim capacity, assisted by Olajire, a former director of Media and Communications.
All processes initiated in preparation for the NFF elective congress scheduled have also been suspended and a fresh process is expected to start after the reforms.
Where the chief operating officers (COOs) are not NFF members of staff, the acting general secretary is expected to deploy a new COOs from the Federation.
NSC explained that the measures were intended to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian football during the transition, pending conclusion of engagements with FIFA, CAF, government and stakeholders to design a roadmap towards the comprehensive reforms and the next steps for activation.
It added that further changes and directives will be communicated in due course.
