Chris Giwa has declared that he remains the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Giwa’s stance comes against the backdrop of Amaju Pinnick being elected as NFF president on Tuesday by the country’s football federation delegates, recognised by the world football governing body, FIFA.
The Giwa FC of Jos owner insisted that the August 26 NFF general assembly, which brought him into office and disputed by the football federation’s congress, stands valid.
He also claimed that the NFF elective general assembly held in Warri on Tuesday is “an illegal election.”
In a statement, Giwa declared: “I, Ambassador Christopher Giwa, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation elected into office on the 26th August 2014 at the Chida Hotel in Abuja remains the head of the nation’s football governing body.
“It came to our notice that some people gathered in Warri in Delta state to conduct an illegal election. We are aware that as a law-abiding body, we followed the prescriptions of the Court of Arbitration in Sports (CAS) after exploring all available arbitration processes as provided for in the NFF Statute. Since we approached that court, I have in accordance with international best practices kept mute.”
The Giwa group had filed a suit at a law court and secured an injunction from the Federal High Court in Jos presided over by Justice Ambrose L. Allagoa stopping the NFF general assembly in Warri. He also claimed Fifa stayed away from the NFF elective general assembly in Warri since “they are aware that there are court processes in place against the holding of the so-called congress.”
Giwa said he will continue to “pursue the cause of justice, fair play and associated freedom” and declared that his faction of the football body will meet in Abuja on Thursday.
“However, in line with the orders of the Federal High Court, Jos our elected board shall meet on Thursday, 2nd October, 2014 in Abuja where far reaching decisions shall be taken and Nigerian shall be properly briefed of the outcome of the meeting,” the statement from Giwa concluded.
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