FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have ordered the suspension of the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) ongoing electoral process as the two governing bodies begin a joint assessment of the leadership and governance crisis within Nigerian football.
The directive, contained in a letter dated September 7, follows the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee, placing the planned electoral process on hold pending further review.
The intervention comes amid a wider governance crisis within Nigerian football that has raised questions about the stability and legality of the federation’s electoral process. FIFA and CAF are now reviewing the legal, administrative and electoral implications of the developments before allowing the process to continue, with a joint assessment mission to Abuja expected to meet key stakeholders and examine the situation in greater detail.
For now, the planned September 27 NFF Elective Congress in Lafia, Nasarawa State, remains on hold, with the federation unable to proceed with further electoral activities until FIFA and CAF complete their assessment.
The two governing bodies have stressed that they have not yet reached a final conclusion on the crisis, meaning any decision on the future of the election or possible further measures against the federation will depend on the outcome of the review.
