The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says “there’s no reason for panic” after a Federal High Court in Jos, on Friday, annulled the September 30, 2014 election that brought in Amaju Pinnick as president.
Christopher Giwa, owner of Nigeria League side, Giwa FC, who leads another faction, has been at logger head with the Pinnick-led board – claiming to be the rightful heir to Aminu Maigari’s throne.
Pinnick, 42, has come under intense pressure in the last couple of days after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournament since his assumption of office.
And the latest setback could even pile more pressure on the embattled administrator who has lost the backing of several Nigerians.
But the NFF through its first vice president, Seyi Akinwunmi, declared that they have moved “a motion to vacate the order and a motion for a stay-of- execution against the judgement.”
Akinwunmi also revealed that Giwa is on a wild goose chase with several of his so-called allies distancing themselves from his latest move.
“We have filed for stay-of-execution and that means the status quo remains and anything done is done at the actors’ peril,” the NFF vice president said after the court judgement on Friday.
“I can assure football– loving Nigerians that there is no reason to panic as we are in full charge and there is no trouble whatsoever.”
He added: “There is no order for the Giwa group to take over the Glass House. In fact many of his so-called board members have called to dissociate themselves from the matter.
“This is a sad one primarily because we have enjoyed a period of peace and have been able to work without the court-today-court-tomorrow situation of the last half of 2014.”
