Legal Firm threatens Ministry over elections

Amidst controversies surrounding the December 29, 2005 NFA Elections, an Abuja-based legal firm, has threatened to drag the Sports Minister, Dr. Saidu Sambawa to court to seek legal redress, if he does not "under the umbrella of the Federal Government," uphold the results of the elections held in Kano last weekend.

The legal firm, known as 'Arikpo & Co Firm of Barristers and Advocates' threat, came on the heels of the Sports Minister's objection to the elections and his consequent declaration of the exercise being "null and void."

While appealing to Nigerians to prevail on the Minister in the interest of the nation; "so that we would not be ridiculed by the global body governing the game of football, FIFA, Donald Arikpo argued that, "elections into the board of the Nigerian football body, was not a selection of candidates as are done in other parastatals.

"The entire exercise was carried out according to NFA Statue, as approved by Fifa; so what is wrong about it that, had led to the Minister's intervention?

There is no clause in the statue that, states that, the sports ministry should choose a venue for the elections. Afterall, Kano is a city in Nigeria," Arikpo pointed.

He pressed further that, "if Kano was not the best or chosen venue by the minister for the election, why should Abuja be it; when there was also a contestant, Sanni Lulu, who is a Director in FCT Sports?" the legal man nailed home logically.

However, this was not all. Some Nigerians, who felt bitter about the manner of the elections, are talking. "If Kano is part of the country; just like Abuja, we quite agree.

"But how come the elections venue and procedures were carried by a Chairman, whose tenure in office expired last month, November? Why was there no Care-taker Committee set up in place as had been the practise in the past? Or has Fifa also decreed that Galadima should do all that?

"Now that Galadima feels he can face the authorities and 'fight them in the open market place, let him fund our Eagles' EGYPT 2006 Championship. This was exactly what he did; pitching the former Secretary-General, Taiwo Ogunjobi against the former Sports Minister, Musa Muhammed while our Under-20 team was sweating in Holland and our Under-17 could not pick a Youth World Cup ticket.

"Now, our Eagles are preparing for the Nations Cup in Faro, Portugal and we are home, arguing over what should not be given a shot at all in civilized parts of the world," some lovers of the game lamented.