The attention of the National Association of Nigeria Footballers (NANF) has been drawn to the media call by the NFF president Amaju Pinnick in which he was quoted to have insinuated that a toxic environment is being created in our football and this has become their tactic in the recent times to divert attention from the massive fraud at the NFF.
The NANF States as follows-
The NFF is a public institution and we have a constitutional right to question how funds meant for football development in Nigeria are managed under Pinnick’s watch.
NANF actions in this regard as true representatives of Nigerian footballers predated the emergence of Pinnick’s board.
The NANF has been seriously concerned that Pinnick right from his days as chairman Delta State Sports Commission and now as NFF president has not been frugal with public funds and these are funds meant for football development in Nigeria for both present, past and future generations of Nigerian footballers.
The NANF was justified because the foremost anti-graft agency in Nigeria the EFCC has in an interim report dated 18th November 2018 to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari indicted the NFF under Pinnick’s watch.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) in a public notice seizure sealed Pinnick and Dikko’s properties awaiting a court order of final forfeiture.
That Pinnick and Dikko are still resident in those properties doesn’t foreclose the matter, issues are following due process of Law.
Pinnick and I (Jalla) know how many high-profile Nigerians have intervened in this matter at his own instance and if it degenerates to mentioning names, we shall do so in due course
Yet, these are the characters that are parading themselves as leaders running the affairs of Nigeria football.
These are the same guys Channels TV, one of the most credible television stations in Africa, will open its studio and give unlimited airtime at their beck and call.
What stops Pinnick and Dikko to sue ICPC for sealing their properties and justify the fact that they never acquired those properties by crooked means?
Instead they have embarked on an endless journey of trying to pervert justice by compromising every sector involved in their ongoing investigation, including my good self (Harrison Jalla)
Pinnick and I (Jalla) know how many high-profile Nigerians have intervened in this matter at his own instance and if it degenerates to mentioning names, we shall do so in due course.
If Pinnick and his gang are innocent of our allegations that they looted our common patrimony, why don’t they submit themselves to the criminal justice system and prove us wrong?
ON PWC- Pinnick should have talked straight, It is not a threat NANF will sue PWC, in fact that line of action is in progress.
NANF must challenge their integrity and professional competence for always giving the SHAMBOLIC accounting system the NFF is operating a clean bill of health, this is very worrisome.
And we maintain that there is collusion – PWC is shielding corruption in NFF.
Pinnick was also quoted to have said that stakeholders should rise? Against whom? May be to cover his track, who are the stakeholders that will rise? The conquered and lame duck NFF congress?
The only way out is for Pinnick and his gang to submit themselves to the criminal justice system and prove us wrong because no connection in high places can sweep these allegations under the carpet
If there are purported letters to NFF sponsors Pinnick should speak with evidence and publish such letters. Not to cover his tracks by cheap blackmail.
Our motives are purely patriotic Pinnick cannot be telling Nigerians bare-faced lies that he prosecutes every home match for the Super Eagles at 300m Naira, his predecessors in office are just a phone call away, we can put a call across to them to confirm.
Pinnick should stop hawking Super Eagles to state governors.
Three hundred million Naira will go a long way to regrass the National Stadium Surulere in Lagos, fix the plastic chairs and renovate the conveniences.
Bring back the Super Eagles to Lagos the capital of corporate Nigeria. We have no other brand bigger than the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Super Eagles brand itself is commercially viable if properly driven.
We must have a permanent home ground like other super powers in football – Wembly for England and Maracana for Brazil.
As we speak no verified accounts to show expenditures of Super Eagles matches in the states, it’s all a scam to steal and share money.
The Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba is a sub-standard stadium for the Super Eagles matches.
On Pinnick’s purported no third term ambition, it’s an insult to real stakeholders that are not part of the conquered NFF congress to say he does not want to return for third term even though there is no term limit.
How did Pinnick emerge NFF president in 2014? It’s by way of procurement through massive vote buying.
What was the yard stick for returning Pinnick in 2018 in Katsina?
His predecessor Aminu Maigari won the Africa Cup of Nations, won the U17 World Cup, the Nigeria Premier League was rated between first and second in Africa during his tenure, he qualified Nigeria for the second round of the World Cup in 2014, but he never returned for second term.
What was Pinnick’s score card for a second term?
He failed in all international competitions and as at today NPFL is rated 9th in Africa.
ON PWC- Pinnick should have talked straight, It is not a threat NANF will sue PWC, in fact that line of action is in progress
It’s same procurement of massive vote buying that returned Pinnick in Katsina. That is why the current NFF defective structure cannot stand apart from the fact that it is not all inclusive, it will only produce a president worse than pinnick if urgent reforms that will accommodate real stakeholders are not carried out.
The NANF cannot fold its arms to continue to see Nigeria football in the stranglehold of a monstrous gang.
The only way out is for Pinnick and his gang to submit themselves to the criminal justice system and prove us wrong because no connection in high places can sweep these allegations under the carpet.
BY HARRISON JALLA, President (NANF)
