ANOTHER drama is set to unfold in the nation's sports sector following alleged steps by the Sports Ministry to 'overturn' the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to organize fresh elections to the positions of chairman of chairmen and chairman of the board of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).In the elections conducted by the Aminu Maigari-led NFF three weeks ago, chairman of Bayelsa United, Victor Baribote, was declared chairman of the NPL board, in spite of the advise of the Sports Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Yusuf Suleiman.Suleiman had earlier written to the NFF to throw the election open to all stakeholders as a way of resolving the long dispute in the NPL. The NFF declared Baribote winner while the Minister and other top shots in the NSC were away in Maputo with Team Nigeria for the just concluded 10th All African Games.The Guardian reliably gathered yesterday that Suleiman is 'very angry' with the NFF for ignoring his advise on the NPL election and has instructed the Director General of the NSC, Dr. Patrick Ekeji, to immediately review the situation.A source close to the NSC told The Guardian yesterday that Suleiman saw the NFF action not only as crude, but also as 'a big slap on his personality' as minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.'The NFF is trying to prove that it is bigger than the country. Each time an issue like this comes up and the ministry tries to play its supervisory role, the only language that comes from the NFF is that FIFA will ban Nigeria. They have been using that to intimidate everybody. They (NFF officials) have forgotten that FIFA sources funds for its operations alone. Here in Nigeria, it is the government that feeds the NFF. So tell me why Maigari and his board will disrespect the Minister, who is representing the Presidency in sports' It must stop. This is the same NFF that is running cap in hand to the NSC for funds to prosecute its programmes and settle its coaches' dues. We have to treat this issue once and for all,' the source stated.Before leading Team Nigeria to Maputo, Suleiman had noted in the letter to the NFF: 'In as much as I believe that the aggrieved can seek redress, I am of the view that we should, as much as possible, give dialogue a chance.'In the letter, the minister noted that he was particularly impressed with 'that aspect of the Federal High Court judgment, which created a window of opportunity for all the affected parties by ordering a fresh election to the NPL Board.'It is also commendable that his Lordship, the respected judge of the Federal High Court, did not put any of the parties in jeopardy by barring them from participating in the fresh elections.'Since strife is an ill wind that blows no one any good, all those who had participated in the election should be allowed to take part in the proposed fresh election if they so wish.'In the light of the above, therefore, may I advise you to eschew all actions that may exacerbate the burden of litigation within the football family leading to further degeneration of our football,' Suleiman wrote.The Director General of the NSC, Ekeji, refused comment on the issue yesterday when The Guardian contacted him, but confirmed that the Minister had set up a committee to look into various areas of the nation's sports.
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