It was a clash of the titans Monday when embattled President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Aminu Maigari, returned to office on the directive of the Minister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo only to meet the Acting President Mike Umeh already seated in the same office..
Maigari stormed the NFF office in the company of three of his close allies, Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, Ahmed Kawu and Seyi Akinwumni.
But unknown to Maigari, Umeh was already seated in the same office, though not on Maigari’s seat from where he had ran affairs of the football federation before he was ousted in what some now perceive as a coup.
Both men addressed sports journalists who had thronged the office in anticipation of a drama in the same office. Contrary to reports, Maigari said that he did not at any time resign as NFF President, adding that his priority is proper football development. His words, “If I have resigned I won’t be here”.
On his relationship with Mike Umeh, he said: “My relationship with Mike will remain cordial, he is my first vice, I have sat twice with him and had personal discussion on the way forward for our football”
On whether the election will still hold on August 26 he said “the board will sit down to decide on the right thing to do.
“I personally want every single individual who is eligible to be given an opportunity to contest”.
He said it does not matter to him whether he comes back as the President of NFF or not, saying he is only interested in the right thing being done in Nigerian football.
But Mike Umeh was belligerent, insisting that Maigari remain suspended. According to him, Maigari cannot return to office by ministerial fiat.
He said: “The Minister cannot ask Maigari to come back to office because he did not tell us to suspend him. We suspended him in accordance with the laws that govern our football.
“If he is insisting that Maigari comes back, does that not amount to government interference?” Umeh charged.
He waxed bolder: “Maigari cannot be parading himself as President of NFF because he tendered his resignation on the 12 of August”.
Recently, eight of the 13-member Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation suspended Maigari, paving way for the appointment of Mike Umeh in acting capacity. But, last Friday, Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, after a closed door meeting with Maigari in his office at the National Stadium, announced to newsmen that he has directed Maigari to return to office effective from Monday August 18, 2014.
