Ado Salisu
Sports administrator and football stakeholder, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has dismissed calls for the removal of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, insisting that attempts to unseat him will not succeed.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Gara Gombe described Gusau as the legitimate leader of the NFF and expressed confidence that he would complete his tenure despite criticisms of the current football administration.
He argued that Nigeria’s 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 Gara Gombe, Gusau inherited numerous challenges and should be given sufficient time to implement reforms before his administration is judged.
He also alleged that some individuals were attempting to destabilise the NFF by employing tactics similar to those used during previous football administration crises, 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.
Gara Gombe further condemned the threats and insults directed at him over his support for the NFF president, maintaining that he expresses his views based on conviction rather than personal interests.
He stressed that he has no personal agenda or ambition for political appointments, adding that he would continue to speak out whenever he believes football administrators or government officials deserve commendation or criticism.
While reaffirming his support for Gusau’s leadership, Gara Gombe said he would not hesitate to criticise the NFF president if the administration fails to improve Nigerian football during a second term.