NFF Crisis: Put Merit Ahead of Politics, Ethnicity, Regionalism — Onyeabor

As FIFA and CAF prepare to intervene in the crisis rocking the administration of Nigerian football, legal practitioner and football stakeholder Joe Onyeabor has urged the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to put competence and experience ahead of politics and sectional interests.

Onyeabor said the proposed restructuring of the NFF should provide room for administrators with proven records and the ability to deliver results.

He particularly backed Rangers International Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, Amobi Ezeaku, for a greater role in the process, citing his experience, international exposure and relationships.

He described the planned FIFA and CAF intervention as a “golden opportunity” to reset Nigerian football administration and rebuild confidence in the system.

“This is not the time to play politics, ethnicity or regional sentiments. Nigerian football needs people who understand the game, have experience and can deliver,” Onyeabor said.

“Amobi Ezeaku is one of those young administrators whose experience, exposure and international connections can be useful at the national level. His work at Rangers has given him practical experience in running a major football institution.”

Onyeabor urged FIFA, CAF and other stakeholders involved in the restructuring process to consider competence, integrity, experience, verifiable achievements and adherence to international best practices.

He said administrators who have demonstrated the capacity to engage international football stakeholders and produce measurable results should be allowed to play meaningful roles in the development of Nigerian football.

According to him, strict adherence to FIFA statutes and CAF regulations would be necessary to prevent fresh crises and further external interference in the running of the game.

The football stakeholder also warned against turning the NFF leadership question into a South-East versus other regions contest.

He acknowledged that the South-East has capable administrators but argued that national football development should be driven by merit rather than regional considerations.

“South-East has competent people, but we must be honest with ourselves. Regional interest should not come before merit.

“If we truly want to develop Nigerian football, we must support the best hands, irrespective of where they come from,” he said.

Onyeabor called on all stakeholders to abandon personal and sectional interests and rally behind administrators with the experience, vision and capacity required to reposition the NFF.

He said the intervention by FIFA and CAF could provide a fresh opportunity for Nigerian football to establish a credible, professional and result-oriented administration.

“The priority should be Nigerian football. We need an administration that can restore confidence, attract investment, strengthen our international relationships and return Nigeria to where it belongs in world football,” he added.

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