Ibrahim Gusau gets major backing as Arewa youths reject Nigerian federation election ‘scapegoating’

The Coalition of Arewa Youths has thrown its weight behind Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Musa Gusau, urging stakeholders to resist attempts to politicise the federation’s forthcoming elective congress.

The coalition says efforts to blame the Gusau-led administration for Nigeria’s recent football disappointments, particularly the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, risk turning legitimate football debates into a political contest.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, coalition spokesperson Sa’ad Mohammed called for a balanced assessment of the NFF’s performance ahead of the September 27, 2026 elective congress in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Youths reject ‘scapegoating’ of NFF

Mohammed acknowledged the setbacks suffered by Nigerian football but argued that sporting failures cannot automatically be attributed to administrators, insisting that football outcomes are influenced by several factors.

He said: “Football, as the world knows it, is a game of preparation, discipline, strategy and ability – and, importantly, a game of chances. Sometimes, despite painstaking preparation, determination and the very best efforts of players and officials, the desired result simply does not come.”

The coalition also defended the players and officials who have represented Nigeria, arguing that disappointing results should not necessarily be interpreted as a lack of commitment or effort.

“We must therefore be careful not to turn unfortunate sporting outcomes into an excuse for political or sectional scapegoating,” Mohammed said.

He added: “The players of our beloved Super Eagles and Super Falcons have repeatedly carried the hopes and aspirations of more than 200 million Nigerians onto the football pitch.”

The group believes criticism of the NFF should be based on its record and policies rather than being selectively used to advance sectional or political interests ahead of the election.

Gusau gets backing ahead of September vote

Gusau became NFF president following his election on September 30, 2022, with the tenure of the current Executive Committee expected to end on September 29, 2026.

The coalition pointed to the NFF Extraordinary General Assembly held in March 2026, where amendments to the federation’s Statutes and Electoral Code were approved and the Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee were established.

It also highlighted the unanimous vote of confidence given to the Gusau-led Executive Committee by Congress at the same meeting.

According to the Arewa youths, the September election should focus on competing visions for Nigerian football rather than what they described as a “trial by media” of the incumbent administration.

They want candidates to be judged on their records, programmes and plans for the future of the game.

Coalition defends Arewa’s right to lead

The group further rejected suggestions that Arewa stakeholders should not pursue leadership positions within the NFF, arguing that the region has historically supported football leadership aspirations from other parts of Nigeria.

It said Arewa should equally be free to present candidates and advocate for its interests without being portrayed as antagonistic towards other regions.

The coalition stressed that its position was not intended to undermine the contributions of other parts of the country to Nigerian football.

It also cautioned against attempts to drag President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into the NFF electoral contest, saying a distinction must be maintained between government support for sports development and interference in the federation’s internal affairs.

The youths urged stakeholders to reject claims that the Presidency was seeking to influence the election unless such allegations were supported by credible evidence.

They also cited FIFA’s requirement that national football associations operate independently and conduct their electoral processes without undue external influence.

Gusau administration admits room for improvement

Despite its strong backing for Gusau, the coalition admitted that the current NFF leadership had shortcomings and needed to address several problems within Nigerian football.

“There are areas where more must be done. There are decisions that deserve scrutiny. There are structural problems in Nigerian football that require urgent attention,” it said.

However, the group argued that some reforms and initiatives introduced under the present administration needed time to produce their full impact.

“Disrupting these efforts midway, without allowing the ongoing changes sufficient time to take root and deliver measurable results, may ultimately set Nigerian football back rather than move it forward,” it said.

The coalition has consequently called for the September 27 congress to be free, fair, transparent and credible, with all eligible stakeholders allowed to exercise their rights in accordance with the NFF Statutes and Electoral Code.