Post-Gusau Era: NPFL, NNL Chairmen Elegbeleye, Aluo Sacked as NFF Suspends Electoral Process
The post-Gusau era has taken a decisive turn as NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye and NNL Chairman George Aluo are among the league administrators directed to hand over their responsibilities, while the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has suspended the entire electoral process ahead of the planned September 27 Elective Congress.
The sweeping measures followed Thursday’s resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee, bringing the current leadership structure to an abrupt end.
More significantly, all processes connected to the September 27 NFF Elective Congress have been suspended, effectively putting the proposed election of a new NFF leadership on hold.
The NFF said a fresh electoral process will commence only after the completion of comprehensive reforms aimed at restructuring Nigerian football.
The reforms will be undertaken in consultation with FIFA and CAF, as well as the Federal Government and other key stakeholders.
As part of the transition, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has endorsed former NFF Deputy General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme to oversee the NFF Secretariat as interim General Secretary.
Former NFF Director of Media and Communications Dr Ademola Olajire will serve as interim Deputy General Secretary.
The shake-up also affects the administration of the country’s domestic leagues.
The chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One have been directed to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers.
Where a COO is not an NFF staff member, the acting General Secretary is empowered to deploy a new COO from within the Federation.
The directive means that Elegbeleye’s tenure as NPFL Chairman and Aluo’s leadership of the NNL are effectively brought to an end under the interim arrangement, as the NFF moves to centralise the administration of the leagues during the transition.
The NFF described the measures as necessary to ensure continuity in Nigerian football while engagements with FIFA, CAF, government and stakeholders continue.
