Chairman of the Nigeria
Football Federation (NFA), Aminu Maigari, has urged members of the Electoral and Appeals Committees for the association’s forthcoming 2014-2018 board elections to be fair.
Maigari, who stated this in Abuja while inaugurating the committees, said elections usually turned out to be a farce when it was not credible.
“I charge you to eschew favoritism and live above board in the discharge of your duties.
“Elections are all about fairness and credibility. Without these guiding principles, an election becomes a farce and all manner of unwanted disruptions follow,’’ he said.
Maigari, who was represented by Muazu Suleiman, a board member of the NFA, also appealed to the committees to provide a level playing ground for the contestants and promote harmony.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NFA Electoral Committee is saddled with the responsibility of conducting elections into the executive positions of the NFA. This is due in August this year.
“The NFA Electoral Appeals Committee has the responsibility of hearing appeals arising from the said elections.
“It is my charge to the incoming electoral and appeals committees to live above board in all sincerity, be diligent, steadfast, incorruptible and with regard to their self-esteem, and conduct credible elections.
“They shall also conduct elections into the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and the Nigeria Nation-Wide League (NNWL), come August 2014,’’ Maigari said.
He explained that the members of the committees were qualified for the various appointments, having been elected at the last NFA General Congress in Warri, Delta on November 28, 2013.
Maigari also mandated the members to work according to the rules guiding Nigerian football, noting that the present NFA board survived all manner of litigations because of the elections’ credibility.
The NFA chairman therefore urged the committees to work in harmony with every group and individual to achieve success.
The eight-member electoral committee has Amoni Biambo, as its chairman, while Musa Amadu, the NFA Secretary-General, would serve as secretary.
Other members of the committee include Prof. Musa Yakassai, Prince Elube, Dr Akpo Mudiaga-Odje, Charles Nwokocha, Dr Omolawon Kayode and Pascal Patrick, a former Nigerian international player.
The Electoral Appeals Committee, made up of six persons, will have Lawrence Katken, the NFA Assistant Director, Competitions, as its secretary, while members were mandated to choose their chairman.
Members of the Electoral Appeals Committee are Eddy Mark, Dotun Coker, Bala Garba, Victor Nwangwu and Sani Gusau.