Giwa in Lagos, vows to continue fighting for NFF presidency

Self-Acclaimed president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chris Giwa, yesterday vowed to continue fighting until he achieved his aim of being recognised as the federation’s boss.

Giwa is claiming to be the authentic president of the federation instead of Amaju Pinnick, who was elected the head of the body in the 2014 NFF general polls.

Addressing journalists in Lagos yesterday, Giwa, who said he was not happy with the situation of things at the Glass House, added that his mission was to regain his ‘mandate,’ claiming to have been elected the president of the federation also in 2014.

He said he was not interested in destroying Nigerian football, adding that the leadership crises was as a ‘result of the parties involved not ready to say the truth to allow peace reign.’

He promised to use all legal channels, including approaching the Court for the Arbitration for Sports (CAS) and FIFA to pursue the mandate as the legally-elected NFF president.

The Guardian recalls that the CAS had in 2015 dismissed Giwa’s claim to the NFF leadership.

But the Jos-based club proprietor said: “I am not ready to surrender the mandate given to me as the legally elected president of the Nigeria Football Federation. Having sponsored a club, Giwa FC, over the years, I believe I have more vested interest to develop Nigerian football than those contesting with me.

“The election that brought me to office in 2014 was organized by a legalized electoral committee. After declaring me the winner, I was sworn in to office. At that time Pinnick did not even contest for the election. When the next election that brought Pinnick to office was about to be conducted, I approached the court and they declared the election illegal.

The reason why I asked the court to pend the case was because former Nigeria president, Goodluck Jonathan, told me to settle with Pinnick and if I am not satisfied I should return to court. I have to respect the president’s office,” he said.