…Says: It’s An Unnecessary Distraction
Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, has made an urgent plea to the Nigeria Football Federation, to shelve all plans for elections into the next board and concentrate on the forth-coming FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The Minister made the plea in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, after visiting Simba of DR Congo forced the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in a farewell international friendly match at the Adokiye Amesiemeka Stadium.
Dalung noted that the Federal Government has invested so much towards qualifying and achieving a respectable World Cup result than to allow any distraction at this point.
The Minister stressed that a call for purchase of forms and setting up of an electoral committee at this time was a distraction that could be inimical to the team’s preparation and, ultimately, its success at the biggest global football event.
“The NFF should put everything concerning elections and electoral committees on hold,”Dalung said, “and concentrate on the World Cup preparation which is more important to the passion of the country.
“The country has invested so much right from the campaign for a ticket till date (that) we cannot afford any distractions in the name of elections.
“The World Cup and elections cannot be pursued concurrently, therefore, all issues on the next elections into the NFF board should be suspended pending the outcome of legal advice from the Attorney- General on the decision of the Supreme Court on the current crises in the Federation.”
The Minister rew the attention of the Federation to the Supreme Court’s verdict and warned that calling for elections without legal advice from the Attorney-General will further generate confusion and distraction.
He advised that all efforts should be tailored towards mobilizing support for the team to the World Cup which is the most important and paramount thing to do at this time.
The Super Eagles kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 16, 2018, in Kaliningrad.
