Coalition of civil societies wants Supreme Court to expedite actions on NFF case

Amaju Pinnick and Chria Giwa

*Says FIFA won’t ban Nigeria

Forum of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria has called on the Supreme Court of Nigeria to proceed with the case between Ambassador Chris Giwa and Amaju Pinnick-led factions of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) before it without fear or favour, stating that the world football governing body FIFA would not suspend Nigeria if she delivers judgement in favour of either of the parties.

National president of the coalition group, Comrade Ishaku Nok, while addressing the press on Monday in Abuja said it has become imperative for his group to assess the on-going NFF crisis from a civil society perspective.  He condemned the actions of a group of individuals who are bent in destroying the nation’s football with illegality.

“In consonance with our vision statement in advocating for national economic potentials, we are thus, compelled by the public to engage in the assessment of the crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). It is important to note that Nigeria as a football loving nation has been bamboozled by some group of individuals who are purporting that Nigeria would be suspended by FIFA if the Supreme Court gives justice on the matter because they are bent on staging illegality on legality.”

Comrade Nok says Nigerians should disregard the assertion by the Pinnick-led faction of NFF that if Supreme Court judgement does not favour them in her judgement FIFA would suspend Nigeria and stop them from the on-going world cup qualifiers.

According to him, “that statement by Amaju Pinnick is false, fraudulent and untrue because Argentina football body also had issues that were resolved in court and FIFA did not suspend them.”

However, the civil society group has advised the Pinnick-led faction to stop misinforming Nigerians with baseless assertions of the FIFA suspending Nigeria, adding that since this renewed court case on the 8^th April, 2016 FIFA has not interfered with the internal matter of the nation’s football and so they would not if the Supreme Court judgement favours either of the parties.

They also advised all those connected to the Federal Government to allow the law take its course in the NFF case because the present administration of President Mohammadu Buhari is not condoling illegality.