Group rejects NFF statute amendments, alleges manipulation

The Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Concepts (ANFRC) has rejected recent amendments to the statutes of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), describing the process as flawed and unacceptable.

The NFF approved the changes on Monday during an Extraordinary General Assembly in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where it also fixed September 26 for its elective congress.

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The Congress endorsed revisions to the NFF Statutes (March 2026 edition), Electoral Code, and Standing Orders, and ratified a 12-member Electoral and Appeals Committee drawn from the six geopolitical zones.

However, ANFRC Chairman Harrison Jalla dismissed the resolutions, alleging manipulation by State Football Association chairmen.

Jalla accused certain administrators of attempting to retain control through vote allocation and expansion of Congress membership, warning that stakeholders would resist such moves.

“We reject these amendments in their entirety. Nigerian football cannot continue to be run in an outdated and self-serving manner,” he said.

He added that stakeholders would continue to challenge the process until authorities intervene to ensure transparency and accountability.

Jalla also criticised the NFF leadership’s record, noting that Nigeria has missed two FIFA World Cups in the last 12 years. He argued that those responsible should step aside rather than maintain the status quo.

Referencing a Court of Appeal judgement that nullified the September 30, 2022, NFF election, he questioned the legitimacy of current leadership decisions.

“The law must prevail. We cannot allow impunity and mediocrity to define the future of Nigerian football,” he said.

Jalla maintained that the Bayelsa decisions would not be recognised by reform advocates and called for credible leadership to reposition the game.

He also urged the Federal Government to take decisive action, including dissolving the current board and allowing due judicial processes to run their course.