NFF to lift ban on Giwa, others

In a bid to find lasting solution to the crisis characterizing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in the last four years, the Nigeria football governing body has ordered the review of the football house election guidelines and as well work out modalities that will accommodate all aggrieved parties including Barrister Chris Giwa and his group in its forthcoming elections.
This directive was part of the communiqué issued at the end of the NFF extra ordinary congress held yesterday in Benin City, Edo State.
At the Benin meeting, the Congress unanimously resolved that henceforth no member of the football family should take football matters to ordinary court of law in the country, while anyone that does would be automatically expelled from all football activities with immediate effect from the date of filing such proceedings or law suit.
The Congress, however, having duly deliberated on the crisis plaguing the body and in view of the calls from all stakeholders to provide a lasting solution to the imbroglio, enjoyed all stakeholders, including Chris Giwa and his group, with a pending court case to retrace their steps and reconcile with the football family.
Giwa and others who have cases in courts were also directed to ensure the dismissal of all pending Court cases against NFF and its leadership, within 2 weeks and file affidavits in court to affirm to be bound by and uphold the football statutes and, undertake not to take any football matter to court but, to resolve any disputes and/or grievances within the available alternative dispute resolutions mechanism enshrined in the football statutes.
And upon the fulfillment of the set conditions by Giwa and co, the Congress empowers the NFF Executive Committee to immediately commence the process of unbanning and or removing any penalties on persons that are currently under sanctions for breaches of the NFF Statutes.
The Congress also reviewed the matter of Giwa FC, that was expelled from the NPFL in 2016 and, affirmed that the club was expelled not on account of any crisis in Nigerian football and or the claim or challenge by Giwa to NFF leadership, but for multiple breaches of the framework and rules of the league which bothers on deliberately missing three cumulative matches within a season.
And also in the spirit of reconciliation, the Congress mandated the NFF Executive Committee to, upon application by Giwa FC, immediately permit the registration of the club to commence participation in the 2018 Nigeria National League.
It was further directed that all matches are to be rescheduled in the league to accommodate the club and NFF shall provide reasonable support to the clubs in the division to accommodate these additional matches with Giwa FC, which are not captured in their budgets.
The Congress equally mandated the NFF Electoral Committee elected by the Congress pursuant to the NFF Statutes at the NFF General Assembly in Jos, October19th 2017, to immediately take steps to review the ongoing NFF electoral processes, guidelines and reopen the process for any qualified interested stakeholder to participate, including those that may qualify.
The Electoral Committee was further directed to adjust the election calendar to a suitable date in view of the fact that CAF has fixed its Extra Ordinary General Assembly in Egypt on the same date as the proposed NFF Elective Congress earlier fixed for September 29th 2018.
The Congress implored the National Assembly to fast-track the conclusion of the NFF Bill, which has already passed third reading in both chambers and awaiting harmonization and transmittal to the President/C-in-C for assent.
The Congress noted that the NFF Bill would provide the platform that would completely eliminate most of the current challenges being experienced and ensure the sustainable development of football in Nigeria.

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