President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision on Wednesday to withdraw Nigeria from international football for two years, and more or less dissolve the Nigeria Football Federation came straight from left field. 

Few, not even the most ardent of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF’s) critics, expected it. But make no mistake, this was less about Nigeria’s poor performance at the World Cup, and more about the elections into the executive committee of the NFF.

This action would seem to be the final masterstroke of the Presidential Task Force, set up by the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to help mastermind Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup.

With the country’s participation in South Africa on the verge of collapse, the late President put together a team headed by Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, and including the then Sports Minister, Bawa Kaoje as his deputy, to help the NFF ensure that the Super Eagles made it to the World Cup.

But the friction between both parties was evident from the get go. And the fact that at least two members of that body had designs on positions in the NFF already held by sit tight officials did little to ease the situation.

While the qualification campaign lasted, both parties fought a silent, but bruising battle to stay ahead in the build up to the elections. The little matter of actually participating at the event itself, was almost an afterthought.

NFF President, Sani Lulu and his executive committee were wary of the political and financial might of the PTF, and moved not so silently, not only to strengthen their vice grip on power, but also to ensure that the August elections were in the bag before a single ballot had been cast.

The plan was simple. They tweaked the Statutes by extending the life of state FA chairman (who held the majority of the votes at the Elective Assembly), until after the NFF elections.

What this meant in effect was that those gentlemen would not have to worry about their positions until after they had voted the not so new board in. It also meant that the current executive knew exactly who to ‘keep happy’ in the run up to the elections.

And they did a good job of it.

First, the ‘grants’ due to the state FAs were paid for the first time in over four years.

Then 30 out of 37 chairmen and secretaries were taken on an all expenses paid trip to the World Cup in South Africa. Harmless looking actions on the face of it, but one which effectively left the favoured beholden to the NFF.

The direct consequence was that even if the eligibilty criteria had not been so considerably skewed in favour of the incumbents, none but those in the inner circle would have a chance of winning.

Led by the new Sports Minister, Isa Bio, members of the PTF appealed to FIFA, accusing the NFF leadership of corruption and asking for the elections to be suspended.

They met a brick wall in President Sepp Blatter who informed the delegation that corruption issues should be tackled by the national agencies involved, and the elections could not be stopped as long as the Statutes were followed.

And so the PTF played their final card, a direct appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan, presenting a World cup report that detailed ‘maladministration’. It is that appeal which has now led to the withdrawal of Nigeria from international competitions.

FIFA’s initial official response was to reaffirm their position on government interference in football matters. However, it is understood that the world football governing body would not be unwilling to negotiate a resolution to the crisis, although that would be strictly off the record.

In the event, the Nigerian government’s demands are clear; that FIFA must accept the removal of the current NFF leadership, with transparent elections to be held to bring in a new team.

FIFA, on the other hand, would want to see the Nigerian government reverse their decision. Hopefully, that will be in time for the country to take part in the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier or risk a one tournament ban, in line with Art 51 of the CAF Regulations on the competition.