Despite confirming that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will not be suspended, Fifa warned that the country’s football federation could face “immediate suspension” if its electoral process is interfered with again.
In a letter dated September 9 and directed to the NFF president, Aminu Maigari, the world football governing body, Fifa, wants the football federation to begin the process to convene an extraordinary general congress leading up to the elections.
The world football governing body also made it clear that the electoral process comply with the NFF statutes.
Fifa, however, warned “that should the electoral process be affected by any interference or mishap,” the NFF would be suspended immediately until May 2015 when the world football body holds its congress.
“We welcome these positive steps which contribute to the normalization of the situation. We now expect the NFF Executive Committee to meet as soon as possible in order to convene an extraordinary general assembly to decide on the roadmap leading to the elections which should be open to all persons complying with the NFF statutes and regulations. These elections should also be organised as soon as possible under the NFF statutes and regulations.
“We would also inform you that should the electoral process be affected by any interference or mishap, the case will be referred again – and without prior notice or warning – to the appropriate Fifa bodies for immediate suspension of the NFF until the next Fifa Congress,” Fifa warned the Nigerian FA on Tuesday.
The NFF has witnessed in-fighting after the Fifa World Cup in Brazil this year, which led to claims and counter-claims. Later, Chris Giwa emerged as factional president of the federation.
But Fifa refused to recognise Giwa and threatened the NFF with a suspension which led to a public hearing during which the country’s lawmakers declared the August 26 elections which Giwa brought him into office as null and void.
The NFF is expected to hold an elective general assembly later in September.
