Nigerian football bleeds: don’t blame Gusau, Amaju, Sunusi, others, blame Aso Rock Villa
By Abdulgafar Oladimeji
Last Sunday night, Nigerian football followers were served with the bitter gall of the realities that has enveloped the development of the game , which they claimed to love so much , but bother less to check its health status, before now.
Before now, all cries from genuinely concerned quarters ,which had included cries from veteran players, journalists, coaches and active plyers were either played down or describe as the cries of an anti hill from those dubbed as saboteurs, detractors or those alleged to be robed in envy against those saddled with the task of running the game.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF is today the most powerful institution in Nigeria, it does not obey court orders, despite it is an institution unknown to our laws, since the courts have made it clear that, the institution known to our laws is Nigeria Football Association, NFA, that is the body known to our appropriation laws.
Why does the federal Nigerian authorities allows for tax payers monies to be appropriated in the name of NFA and it is expended by another body known as NFF. The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja in 2012 declared NFF as illegal.
NFF is so powerful that security agencies are so afraid to bring it under scrutiny, nor summon courage to proceed to investigate and prosecute where applicable, in spite of the huge piles of petitions backed with facts against those running the activities of the federation, NFF is a sacred cow.
Many Nigerians think that, with what happened last Sunday courtesy of the wounds inflicted on the Falcons and Flying Eagles would lead to change of leadership at the Sunday Dankaro house, lies, worst things have happened to Nigerian football and none was held accountable.
NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko’s has his hands tied, he and is still part of the system and has no business mindedness to tackle the rot in the system.
NSC, DG, Olopade is yet to sit and have an deep reasoning on the need to be fair minded and to approach the issues holistically, he is more concerned about whose appetite is been wetted at any particular time, thinking everything should be clotted in politiking.
Nigerian football is the victim of conflict of interest within the national power circles, Aso Rock Villa is at the centre stage. They the mthe Nigerian football lords all ran to take cover at the villa.
Who is your godfather, is the new code, in vogue within the Nigerian football circle.
The god fathers in Aso Rock Villa does not understand the importance of players , coaches recruitment, the boys must be in charge. These have given Gusau, Amaju and co the immunity they so required.
Aso Rock have succumbed to been blackmailed to agree for football to serve the interest of some gang members against the interest of our communities.
The level of corruption success in Nigeria football has reached the high heavens, how long will Aso Rock pay deaf ears to the cries of these players, clubs coaches, media and millions of lovers of football whose love for the game is under political siege.
The political patronage system in Nigerian football is supported and encouraged by some elements within the corridors of power.
Nigerians must take their game back and that is only possible, if Aso Rock Villa does the needful, all the FIFA sanctions been branded at Aso Rock Villa are all false, FIFA only frown at interference in elections and results matters, and not when the commonwealth of the people is been stabbed to bleed to death,
Aso Rock please note that there is football inferences and there is what is called government involvement, FIFA only rejects government interference and FIFA welcomes government involvement , their boys will not tell Aso Rock Villa about this, they will always shout government inference and will not shout government involvement. But when they need funds , facilities, security an d visas, they run to same Aso Rock Villa, what is that called, government involvement or government inference,
Aso Rock Villa note it today, as federal government of the federal republic of Nigeria , as a government, you have the right to be involved in football matters.
If only Aso Rock Villa would administer the anti dote of government involvement, which is the sole cure to football failures, tested and proven, in other climes , then the problems of Nigerian football will vanish and its diminished football glory will be restored.
