Solomon Dalong

Taiwo Adelu

Warring factions claiming to be the rightfully elected board members of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF have been urged to eschew violence and embrace dialogue in trying to resolve the recurring crisis in the football house.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung gave the charge today in Plateau state. The minister said that violence will amount to a break down of law and order which will not solve the 14-month-old crisis and will not be acceptable to the government.

Chris Giwa abdicated the seat of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation for Nigeria to escape the dreaded FIFA ban by the deadline of Monday, 8 September, 2014. Fourteen months after, Giwa’s faction renewed its claim to the leadership of the NFF threatening to take over the federation in the New Year.

“It has come to my knowledge once again, that anarchy is being adopted as a method for addressing grievances in the Nigeria Football Federation. As a peacemaker and also a Minister of Youth and Sports, I will always implore Nigerians to apply the use of dialogue and consensus in resolving crisis.

“This posture of mine should not be taken as weakness but as a well intended way of promoting peace among people. I reiterate this that I am standing with nobody in the crisis of the NFF but will always stand for due process,” the Minister said through a press statement Tuesday.

Barrister Dalung urged the aggrieved parties who have already presented their petitions to wait for a decision to be taken on the matter.
“If there are grievances, which have already been brought before me by both parties, I should be allowed to look into them and take a decision. Chris Giwa and his group should not take the petition brought to my table as a licence for anarchy. I will not endorse that today. I will not endorse that tomorrow and I will not endorse that forever.

“Therefore, I urge all warring factions to remain very calm and peaceful so that we will not destroy the image and progress built so far in football. While wishing Nigerians a prosperous New Year and a hopeful outing at the Olympics, I charge all stakeholders to be more responsible and patriotic in their deeds. God bless Nigeria,” he said.