Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Musa Gusau is due to meet the media in Abuja on Thursday as scrutiny intensifies over the federation’s September election congress and alleged attempts to pressure its leadership.
The press briefing will begin at midday at the NFF headquarters, located at Sunday Dankaro Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
Questions over the elective congress
Gusau is expected to address reports that the National Sports Commission (NSC) may suspend the September 27 elective congress and appoint a normalisation committee to run the federation before another election is held. The NSC has not verified claims that the Federal Government ordered Gusau and his executive board to step down, although it has confirmed that discussions are continuing on matters concerning Nigerian football.
There have also been unverified suggestions that as many as nine members of the NFF Executive Committee have discussed resigning. The federation has yet to confirm that any officials have taken such a step.
The election congress will take place in Lafia, Nasarawa State. It was shifted by one day, from September 26 to September 27, so candidates and other stakeholders can return from Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Madagascar on September 25.
Election timetable
- Candidate screening is scheduled for August 27-30.
- The list of candidates who pass the screening is expected on August 31.
- The final candidate list is due to be released on September 11-12.
- Campaigning is scheduled to run from September 14-24.
- The elective congress is set for September 27 in Lafia.
Gusau’s location has also become the subject of speculation, with claims that he had been keeping out of sight because of possible action by the Department of State Services. He appeared in Abuja on Wednesday, however, at the launch of the Nigeria Premier Football League’s new identity and the announcement of a three-year title sponsorship agreement with EuroMatch worth $7.5 million. The deal is valued at $2.5 million per season, with 60 per cent of the money allocated to participating clubs.
The NFF president could also be asked to explain the current position of Nigeria’s national teams and the federation’s relationship with government authorities.
