By Sedara Philip
A group under the aegis of Gombe State Sports and Football Stakeholders has warned the Football Association not to proceed with its planned election scheduled for Tuesday 11th April 2023.
According to a press statement issued by the Convener; Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, the State Football Association was expected to provide the stakeholders with the electoral codes, basic statutes, adding that such were yet to be done.
He disclosed that the stakeholders would not participate in any process that is countering basic provisions of Nigeria Football Association, Confederation of African Football and other football regulatory bodies.
Gombe said, “It has come to our notice that the Gombe State Football Association conducted a purported Elections into the local councils Football Association.
“The same Football Association has scheduled to stage the State Football Association Elections on Tuesday 11th April 2023.
“You may recall that the Gombe State Sports and Football Stakeholders Forum attended by over 50 stakeholders at the Gombe state University passed a unanimous resolutions which include; but not limited to: Asking the state FA to put on hold all Elections at various levels of the state FA. To within seven days provide stakeholders with the State FA Statutes, Electoral Code and Election Guidelines.
“That we will not be a party to any process that is against the NFA,CAF,FIFA statutes and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
While warning the FA Chairman and other interested persons about the consequences of flagrant abuse of laid down procedures Gombe added that, “any election either conducted or to be conducted into any level of the state Football Association will be null and void and will be unacceptable and will certainly be declared illegal by appropriate institutions.”
He kicked against attempt to hijack the FA noting that all stakeholders from Ward, Local Government and state level are entitled and guaranteed by the constitution to aspire to any position in the state Football Association.
“Therefore, few can not hijack the process for their selfish agenda.Everywhere the bodies to Vote and Elect membership of State football officials and and Area Councils officials are players, Coaches, Referees,Club Owners and Representatives and not Local Government sports officers who have no legitimacy nor constituency recognised by NFA, CAF and FIFA.
“No Election can take place without a Congress approving it, No Election can take place without a Constitution (statutes), No Election can take place without Election guidelines and Electoral Code and No Election can take place without a Congress fixing a date,time and venue that is the position of the law,” Gombe added
