By: Chinedum Ohanusi
There are strong indications that a congress of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCT FA) will soon be convened, to among other things wade into the imbroglio that greeted the recent bye-election, for the position of 1st Vice-Chairman.
The bye-election held in Abaji was necessitated after the only candidate for the position in the June 2022 elections Alhaji Saliu Kolo was unable to get the requisite 50% plus 1 vote.
Alhaji Kolo again has his hat in the ring, but this time he had a Chieftain of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Barrister Babatunde Akintade Nelson aka Bucknor as an opponent.
Bucknor was only cleared for the contest by an appeals committee; that’s after he was disqualified by the electoral panel, on the ground that he ought to have resigned his position on the board, before presenting himself for a fresh election.
The bye-election in also went ahead, thanks to the presence of DSS Operatives; that’s in the aftermath of series of alterations by the opposing camps, especially on Social Media platforms.
Journalists who covered the polls in Abaji also reported that the Security Operatives at the election venue, arrested a known supporter of one of the stakeholders [Bucknor] with a weapon; and whisked him away.
We were further told that it is with a view to restoring some sanity to the now polarized FA that the Chairman, Abba Mukthar drew from his powers, and ordered that an inquest be carried out to establish the facts, have them documented, and punishment served where necessary; by the board, and the congress as the case may be.
But rather than face the house-cleansing inquest, one of the groups, loyal to the embattled Barrister Bucknor raced to petition the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against the FCT Chairman, Abba Mukhtar, accusing him of high-handedness and not acting within the powers conferred on him by the statutes.
“Simply put, these men all rode on the goodwill and ticket of the Chairman to get elected. So it is a pity that they are now rebellious just because they don’t want the right things and fairplay upheld”, we were told.
Our source, who pleased unanimity added that, “going to the NFF is a big mistake. The FCT FA is an autonomous body, that is happy being guided by the NFF, who lacks the powers to direct us on how to run our internal affairs. Have you ever heard of NFF board members insulting Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau anywhere before; our congress is supreme, and these men will soon have the chance to answer for their indiscretions”, he asserted.
No date has yet been suggested for the impending Congress, but it is certain that the once serene FCT Football Association is now a house divided against itself.
But two key figures involved in this, are former Chairman of the FCT Coaches Council, Samuel Abimbola who claims he was disenfranchised; and Ngozi Ezeh whose name was removed from the delegates list, despite being a board member, as a representative of women league clubs – a position the electoral panel found untenable anymore.
Alhaji Abba Mukhtar first mounted the saddle as FCT FA Chairman, with a lot of frenzy in the elections held in Kuje, and it was believed that his tenure will usher in the next level for football in the nation’s capital; it was also dejavour when he won his re-election bid.
However, the reverse seems to be the case with as many as three of the four National League teams, relegated from the second tier League to the NLO, and one of the relegated sides, has been sold off by its frustrated owners.
Sports Day is keeping tabs on this developing story, and will keep you updated on the twists and turns, in the coming days.
