The present administration of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by Amaju Pinnick has long been built on corruption by persons who the anti-graft agencies have already exposed to be living far above their legitimate earnings.
The stinking rut in the glasshouse is such that the mountain of damning evidence of mismanagement and misappropriation of monies meant to develop football in Nigeria is not only before the various anti-corruption agencies, but also in the public domain.
The crimes against the NFF chieftains range from double budgeting, brazen embezzlement of sponsorship monies and grants from FIFA and CAF, conflict of interests to cooking the books.
Monumental stealing is punishable under the laws of any progressive and forward-looking state.
It therefore does no one any good to play to the gallery when faced with such serious challenges.
What it means is that we as a sport and as an industry must rise above selfish and parochial interests to take head long the corruption that is killing us.
Top government officials and ministers of an administration that prides itself with fighting corruption cannot stop statutory institutions from performing their duties.
Due process has to be followed and anyone found wanting by the various anti-corruption agencies will have to take full responsibility.
The NFF officials under investigation by both the EFCC and ICPC have denied any wrongdoing and rather alleged a witch-hunt.
They therefore have the opportunity to prove these claims before the court of justice and that way clear their names.
It is most reprehensible and totally unacceptable for these same accused persons to now turn around and reduce the committed fight against corruption in Nigeria football to mere infighting.
The main interest of genuine stakeholders is to move the game from the comatose state it is now because of the selfishness and wanton greed of a handful.
Today, the coaches of the national teams are owed salaries running into several months and many millions, the kick-off date and format of the new NPFL season remain uncertain, while sponsors have taken flight because the NFF have failed to justify huge investments that ought to have changed the face of football in this country.
Only justice will move Nigeria football forward and it will prevail no matter the showmanship, photo opportunities, lies and utter desperation of some persons to cling onto power even in the face of damning evidence stacked against them.
