Nigeria FA boss detained by security services
Nigeria Super Eagles fans cheer on their team during their match against Kenya Harambee Stars on June 5, 2013 at Safaricom Sports Centre, Kasarani. South Africa are confident of ending a depressing record against Nigeria when they clash Wednesday night in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | FILE |
What you need to know:
- The 58-year-old was detained along with general secretary Musa Amadu and executive committee member Chris Green by the Directorate of State Service, before Amadu was later released.
- At least 37 state FA chairmen attempted to reach Maigari at the security service office, but they were prevented from doing so and therefore did not attend a meeting which the country's sports minister Tammy Danagogo addressed.
The turmoil in Nigerian football deepened further on Tuesday with the detention of Football Federation (NFF) president Aminu Maigari by security services in Abuja, which meant he could not preside over a general assembly slated for Tuesday.
The 58-year-old was detained along with general secretary Musa Amadu and executive committee member Chris Green by the Directorate of State Service, before Amadu was later released.
"We could not get any reason for their detention," said top official Emeka Inyama.
Maigari was to have presided over a congress that was to design a new road map for elections onto the NFF executive committee.
World football governing body FIFA approved for Maigari to lead the 44-man congress to decide a new election date.
August 26 was no longer a feasible option because a majority of stakeholders were denied access to nomination forms and most observers agreed the electoral process was fraudulent.
At least 37 state FA chairmen attempted to reach Maigari at the security service office, but they were prevented from doing so and therefore did not attend a meeting which the country's sports minister Tammy Danagogo addressed.
Danagogo, who has insisted that elections be conducted on Tuesday, announced Maigari has quit as Nigeria football boss which will not go down well with FIFA as they abhor political interference in footballing matters and who only lifted the suspension of Nigeria from their body in July.
It is not the first time the government has tried to remove Maigari as they sought to have him impeached at the end of July only for them to fail to get the required number of votes to achieve this.
FIFA originally suspended Nigeria on July 9 after a Nigerian court sacked the NFF and the government appointed a sole administrator for the country's football shortly after the Super Eagles returned from Brazil where they went out in the second round of the World Cup finals.
