NFF election timetable halted as leadership changes force fresh governance review

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has suspended its electoral process after the resignation of president Ibrahim Musa Gusau, secretary general Mohammed Sanusi and several members of the organisation’s executive committee.

The NFF’s electoral congress, which had been scheduled for 27 September, will no longer take place on that date. A new timetable is expected to be drawn up once proposed reforms to the governance of Nigerian football have been completed.

The changes leave the federation in a period of transition as it seeks to maintain the running of its administration while its leadership structure is reviewed.

Emmanuel Ikpeme, who had been serving as the NFF’s deputy secretary general, has been appointed acting secretary general to oversee the federation’s secretariat.

A statement said: “The National Sports Commission has appointed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme […] to supervise the NFF secretariat as acting secretary general.”

The appointment is intended to provide continuity following the departures at the top of the federation. Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s former director of media and communications, has also been named acting deputy secretary general.

The decision to freeze the election process comes as reforms are considered to reorganise the governance of Nigerian football. The next stage of the process will require discussions with FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Nigerian government and the other stakeholders involved in the federation.

Those consultations will take place before a revised electoral programme is established. The NFF is therefore expected to focus on stabilising its internal administration before setting a new date for the elective congress.

Gusau’s resignation as president, Sanusi’s departure as secretary general and the exits of several executive committee members have disrupted the arrangements for the planned election. As a result, the timetable announced for 27 September has been put on hold rather than proceeding as originally intended.

Ikpeme will now lead the secretariat on an interim basis, while Olajire will serve as his deputy. Their temporary appointments form part of the effort to ensure the federation continues to function during the transition.

The NFF’s electoral process will resume only after the proposed changes have been considered in consultation with FIFA, CAF, the Nigerian authorities and the various parties involved in Nigerian football. A new schedule will then need to be agreed as the federation works towards a more stable organisational structure.