By: Chinedum Ohanusi
Veteran Stakeholders of Football in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have begun making moves to end the escalating tension rocking the Football Association, now split into two warring factions.
The crisis thickened on Thursday, with the FA’s Disciplinary Committee pronouncing the suspension of two members of the Board, believed to have fallen out with the incumbent Chairman, Alhaji Abba Mouktar.
In a two-page release, the Appeals Committee headed by Mallam Hashimu Adamu Ojar suspended Mr. Akintade Bucknor indefinitely, and Mrs. Ngozi Ezeh-Johnson for declining an invite to appear before it, and answer to their roles in the crisis.
The duo, were to answer to charges relating to a bitterly fought bye-election in Abaji; where Mr Bucknor lost his bid to become the 1st Vice-Chairman, to one Saliu Kolo; and Mrs. Ngozi Ezeh-Johnson was sanctioned for a live interview she granted on an unnamed Radio station, based in Abuja.
At the turn and twist of the unsavoury events and mouthslinging going on amongst stakeholders, at least one major WhatsApp Group, had to be temporarily shut on Saturday; while the FA Board intensified its “propaganda” in the media, in an attempt to justify his decision to set-up sub-committees without recourse to the FA board; and the “unilateral” directive to the Ethics Committee to probe the breaches said to have marred the bye-election in Abaji.
At this juncture the questions that are begging for answers are that, if the Chairman and his henchmen have truly got the lofty goals, and ambition, being canvassed in the media; why is the board sharply divided, and against itself; especially when the loser of the bye-election, Mr Bucknor had since accepted defeat, and openly congratulated the winner, Saliu Kolo.
Without “Unity”, and with pervasive squabbles within the board and congress, how does a warring FCT FA accomplish all of the noble objectives and programmes, it has set for itself?
A few of the stakeholders, who have now earned the right as veterans in their respective fields; have also made moves to try and calm the tide; by speaking truth to power, or whoever it may concern; all with a view to deescalate the tension, and misgivings, as soon as possible.
Some of the submissions put forward by the veterans, to help steady the troubled ship of the once serene FCT Football Association, are:
1. The aggrieved persons, were requested to withdraw the two petitions sent to the NFF, and return home for home grown solutions.
2. An appeal was made to the NFF not to do anything that could deepen the crisis. Rather, they should advise all concerned to return home, and exhaust all means of seeking redress in matters like this; being that the congresses of state FAs, and the NFF itself are supreme.
3. The Disciplinary Committee, was faulted for not giving the suspended persons, reminders or second invites to appear before it.
But be it as it may, the suspended duo, were urged to exercise their rights of appeal, and be focused on upturning their respective sanctions, by pleading their innocence; while refraining from engaging in further altercations.
4. For a truce to come alive, and be upheld, the veterans, requested that the FA Chairman, Alhaji Mukthar and Mr. Bucknor who they see as the figure-head of the opposing group; should prevail upon their supporters, to end all media banter – Social or Traditional forthwith.
The submissions of the veteran stakeholders were reeled out by Mr. Chinedum Ohanusi, a former Nigeria Premier Football League Referee, former General Secretary of the FCT Football Referees Council; and former Secretary FCT SWAN; who presently, works in the Sports Directorate of Radio Nigeria.
Finally, the FCT FA was reminded that the case of an agent to one of the two contestants, found with a knife at the Abaji bye-election is best handled by the DSS and Police that were on hand, arrested him, and whisked him away.
It is however inexplicable that the Chairman, Alhaji Mouktar did not announce a new Appeals Committee, while reconstituting the sub-committees; and that may hinder the ongoing peace efforts, as there is no upper body to hear the appeal of the two suspended board members, should they heed the advice of veterans, and withdraw their petitions to the NFF.
