This is a rejoinder to Sports Minister Sunday Dare’s opening speech at the NFF AGA in Benin City Tuesday.
The first question is that why is Sunday Dare shirking his responsibility as the Honourable Minister of Sports of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it concerns the massive corruption in the NFF?
It has been alleged that Dare has been cautioned to look the other way and not toe the line of his predecessor, Solomon Dalung, who had initiated the process of investigating the massive corruption in the NFF.
After a few weeks of assumption of office Sunday Dare’s attention was drawn to the massive corruption, ongoing investigation and prosecution of top NFF officials.
But he adopted a mantra of rule of law and non- Interference of the ministry of sports in the ongoing investigation and prosecution, while giving credence to his alliance with top officials of the NFF.
Who interferes with the work of the anti-graft agencies in Nigeria? Not even President Muhammadu Buhari can interfere with the work of these agencies.
It is therefore hypocritical, irresponsible and nonsensical for an appointee of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria whose Ministry oversees the Nigeria Football Federation as a parastatal to shield corruption having been duly informed of a letter dated 15th of November 2018 to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from the Chairman of the Economic and Financial crimes commission (EFCC) through a handover note by his predecessor in office.
The letter to President Buhari from the EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu was very clear an unambiguous, indicting top officials of the NFF and it proceeded with prosecution in courts of competent Jurisdiction.
What else does Sunday Dare need to suspend the entire board of the NFF as public office holders?
What is the mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari administration?
Is Hon. Sunday Dare’s actions in consonance with his oath of office?
What happened on the basis of allegations to former Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) Babachir Lawal?
What happened to the former Head of Service of the Federation (HOS) Oyo-Ita?
Why does it appear that Dare is shielding corruption even with all the information as his disposal?
We attach documents to justify accusations that Dare having being hoodwinked has no moral justification to move against top officials of the NFF his speech to the ongoing NFF AGA is a clear indication that he has lost command and control of a parastatal under him and that is funded by tax payers’ money.
The Minister is hiding under the rule of law until the courts decide otherwise.
But the National Association of Nigeria Footballers (NANF) can assure the Minister that his plans will not work.
Public officers indicted by anti-graft agencies in Nigeria and those facing prosecution must resign from their positions or be booted out pending the determination of criminal proceedings, that is the norm.
Sunday Dare should resign, if he cannot clean the Augean stable of our football.
HARRISON JALLA, President (NANF)
