Edo FA Election: Why Stakeholders Want NFF To Set Up Normalization Committee

By; Admin

Ahead of the Edo State Football Association election, the critical stakeholders have made a passionate appeal to the President of Nigeria Football Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau to intervene and put order in the process of electing a new F.A Boss in the state.

They claimed that all the extension given since the expiration of the Board on 8th of June, 2023 and extension of same till October 30, yielded no positive result as they failed to conduct election. 

What is good for the geese is good for the gander . The Normalization committee was done in Akwa Ibom State, Kogi and other states with credible results and why is Edo State is different. 

We want the nation's Football Governing Body to take the matter seriously by forming a Normalization Committee to take charge in the state and conduct a free, fair and credible elections 

Some of the concerned stakeholders cited several irregularities heading into the election exercise which may result to anarchy and undue litigation if the NFF fails to arrest the situation. They said:

“There can never be a credible election without putting in place a Normalization Committee. This in accordance with all applicable laws, including FIFA standard Electoral Code that will give us a level playing ground to participate in the exercise, It was done in Ghana, Kenya and other nations to ensure sanctity in the administration of football ” 

“The current impasse has lasted for far too long and it is time urgent interventions were made to rescue the beautiful game from a leadership that has failed yet bent on continuing to mete out injustice against the interested parties and other citizens who depend on football for their livelihoods".

“We firmly believe given the present circumstances and the fact the term of office of the former Board ended in June 8,2023 ,it is now urgent that NFF works with other stakeholders to install a Normalization Committee to oversee the elections of new officials of the State Association.”

According to another stakeholder, “The current exercise is marred with several irregularities, is unconstitutional and blatantly in violation of the basic expectations of a democratic process that is credible, free, fair and verifiable exercise. Just imagine, how on earth would a notice of meeting would be served and the Board excluded a particular candidate from the meeting without being disqualified in the process?

 Not only that, the meeting was scheduled to hold in a particular hotel as against the Secretariat of the Football Association that meant to handle such businesses:

“It is the above reasons we have not subjected ourselves to the sham process, whose ultimate outcome is already predetermined in favour of the outgone Board whose intention is to manipulate the Electoral process and rig themselves back to the office.

Another reactions :

"A board that wasted 4 extension with about 9 postponement of election that started in February 2023 does not deserve another extension as extension can not be given to a Board that does not exist.

Between 8th of June, 2023 the Board tenure extended to 30th October, 2023 as NFF gave about 3 extensions for the board to conduct election, but they could not due to their inefficiency 

Another allegation is that a political appointee has been told to understand that Football Association election is not a political election. "This is a FIFA affiliated election. He shouldn't bring his rascality to rubbish NFF in the eyes of FIFA as it appears he's meddling into the football Association election in the state "

"The extension given is now a fourth time now and if they give them another one ,it will be fifth time. "The first one was 3 months ,2nd was 1 month ,3rd one is 2 weeks and the last one is 2 weeks that ended in October 30th

"The funny issue now is that out of 6 persons remaining as Board members , 5 is contesting the same election. How would you expect such Board to conduct a free, fair and credible elections for all the contestants?

This is the reason why we are calling NFF ably led by Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau to put in place a Normalization Committee that would give all the contestants a level playing ground as done in some states." Said by a concerned stakeholder.