By Mark Baber
FIFA has extended the deadline for Nigeria to reinstate Aminu Maigari’s Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) board or face further sanctions from today (Tuesday, July 15) to Thursday July 17 in the light of a judicial strike which is delaying the resolution of matters in the Nigerian courts.
The extension was granted due to nationwide industrial action currently being taken by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.
A deal has reportedly been struck which will see the civil suit in the Plateau State High Court instituted by Mrs. Ebiakpo Rumson-Baribote, owner of Nembe FC, withdrawn and the Maigari-led Nigeria Football Federation board reinstated.
FIFA will be able to lift Nigeria’s suspension as soon as the court action is withdrawn and the NFF Executive Committee, the NFF General Assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without government’s interference.
Mrs. Baribote has asked for the 15-year ban on her husband to be lifted, and for him to be reinstated as second vice president of the NFF.
The Nigerian government has argued the removal of the NFF was a direct consequence of a court order, not government interference, and the principle of judiciary independence means only a court can overturn the decision.
If the matter is not sorted out by Thursday, Nigeria’s Falconets may face exclusion from the Under-20 Women’s World Cup which starts next month in Canada. A men’s under-17 African Championship qualifier this weekend is also under threat.
The first victim of the crisis has been Linus Mba, who was appointed three weeks ago as the Match Commissioner for the Sierra Leone and Seychelles African Cup of Nations qualifier in Freetown on July 19, who has been replaced due to Nigeria’s suspension.
There is still a possibility the crisis may result in long-term consequences for Nigerian football as the Nigerian government has reportedly frozen NFF accounts and refuses to further fund the federation, reportedly saying that if FIFA want them to stay clear of football matters that should include funding.