Nigeria’s Premier League Boss Sacked

The good job started by Nigeria Premier League, NPL boss, Davidson Owumi, which has seen an upward development of the country’s league, was abruptly brought to an end this evening when the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF rose from its Annual General Meeting, announcing his sack from office.

The AGM was held today at the Le Meridian Hotel, Uyo in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. The NFF came out with a resolution upholding the 21st June 2010 decision of the Professor Ibidapo Obe Arbitration Tribunal, set up by the former Abdullahi Lulu-led board on the NPL leadership tussle and ordered for fresh elections to be conducted into offices of the chairman of NPL and Chairman of chairmen of NPL within 14 days and ‘in full compliance with the NPL statutes.’

The resolution states thus; “the remaining NPL board members should continue to run the affairs of the NPL without fear or favour in the ongoing Premier League season.”

According to the congress attended by NFF boss, Alhaji Maigari and other delegates from the 36 States of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, the executive committee expects the cooperation of all stakeholders in the country to ensure that the lingering crisis in the league body was brought under control.

In order not to create any vacuum before the 14 days ultimatum given to the NPL to conduct fresh elections by the NFF, the vice chairman of the current board of NPL, Shehu Gusau has been ordered to take over the body in acting capacity as chairman for the period.

It woulld be recalled that former Chairman of Bayelsa United, Baribote, who challenged Owumi’s election as NPL boss, has threatened to go to court if the NFF fails to call for fresh elections.

In another development, the crisis rocking various football associations was finally put to an end as all the states associations were ordered to conduct their elections on or before 10 January, 2011.

By Tunde Oyedele, Uyo