NPL Declares 2011/2012 Season Worst In History …Sacks Board

The Congress of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), yesterday passed a damming verdict on the league, concluding that it was the worst in the history of the competition.

The body’s position was contained in a communiqué read by the Chairman, Communiqué Drafting Committee, Salihu Aluko, at the end of the 7th Congress of NPL yesterday in Abuja.

The congress noted that the 2011/2012 season was the worst organised since the inception of the league in 2005.

“The congress deliberated on the state of the league, especially the just-concluded 2011/2012 season and agreed that it was the worst organised since the inception of the NPL in 2005.

“Congress frowned at the management style of the current board and expressed total disappointment in its inability to positively react to series of allegations against it,” he said.

Aluko said that the board was accused of managerial recklessness, executive rascality, high handedness, disrespect for clubs, refusal to call for congress, failure to secure a title sponsor for the league and gross incompetence.

According to him, the congress invoked Article 22(n) and unanimously resolved that the board which was an organ of the NPL as constituted be dissolved immediately.

The board mandated the acting executive secretary to take over the affairs of the league pending further directives from the Nigeria Football Association,” Aluko said.

He also said that the decision of the board to expel Ocean Boys FC from the league lacked due process and was reversed by the congress.

Aluko described the congress’ nullification and suspension of Okey Kpalukwu and Malam Farouk Yarma by the board chairman from NPL activities as not being in line with the NPL statutes and declared it null and void.

He added that it formally admitted the three newly promoted clubs, El-Kanemi Warriors FC, Nasarawa Utd FC and Bayelsa Utd FC, expressing optimism for a hitch-free 2012/2013 season.

The chairman said that the 2012/2013 league season should commence on February 16, 2013 with the pre-season activities, noting that the draws would hold in Kano at a date yet to be announced.

Tidesports learnt that 19 premier league clubs that took part in the 2011/2012 league were in attendance and three executive board members of NFA.