By Ado Salisu
Sports administrator and football stakeholder, Alhaji Gara Gombe, has dismissed attempts to remove the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, insisting that those allegedly plotting against him will not succeed.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Gombe described Gusau as the legitimate leader of the NFF and expressed confidence that he would complete his tenure despite criticisms of the current administration.
He argued that Nigeria’s possible failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup should not be blamed solely on the present NFF leadership, noting that previous administrations also failed to secure qualification but were allowed to continue in office.
“We may fail to qualify for the World Cup, but that does not mean the NFF leadership should be changed. Football development is a process, and people should assess the facts rather than allow sentiment to guide their opinions,” he said.
According to Gombe, Gusau inherited several challenges and should be given sufficient time to implement reforms before his administration is assessed.
He further alleged that some individuals were attempting to destabilise the federation by employing tactics similar to those used during previous crises in Nigerian football administration, including efforts to force leadership changes through external interference.
“It will not work. Gusau is not going anywhere. He will come back because the process is different now, and football administration must be allowed to remain stable,” he stated.
The outspoken football administrator also condemned what he described as threats and insults directed at him over his support for the NFF president, maintaining that he would continue to express his views based on conviction rather than personal interest.
Gombe said he has no personal agenda or ambition for political appointments, stressing that he would continue to commend or criticise football administrators and government officials based on their performance.
While reaffirming his support for Gusau’s leadership, Gombe said he would not hesitate to criticise the NFF president if, during a second term, the administration fails to improve the fortunes of Nigerian football.
