Nigerian football crisis not beyond redemption
IThe point is nothing is beyond redemption. All we need is sincerity on the part of all who are involved in the matter. In trying to find lasting solution to the problem, we have to be aware of the fact that this issue has already gone far between the two personalities involved. I am talking about Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa. This is a fact that every Nigerian must appreciate. What is happening now is not about these two Nigerians but the future of Nigerian football. We are talking about millions of Nigerian youths whose lives depend on football. We also have to appreciate the passion that the game enjoys in the country. So this is a very serious matter and we shouldn’t be looking at the personalities involved.
Of course the minister invited us for a meeting in Abuja. We went there and brainstormed on how to help resolve the problem. It was agreed that we should open up new areas for possible reconciliation. However, we are also conscious of the fact that the matter is already in court so we must not do anything that will be seen to be in contempt of court proceedings. Of course we have to respect that. We are only trying to see what advice we can give to help in resolving the issue. I also believe that even the court will be in support of anything that is done legally to bring about the resolution of the matter. Historically, we know that sometimes people decide to settle matters out of court. There is such provision in law. So what happened in the meeting was for us to explore the possibility of how this can be done. The meeting resolved to set up a six man reconciliation committee which is charged with the responsibility of meeting with the two factions. The committee will be inaugurated next week by the Hon. Minister after which the two warring factions would be invited for us to hear from them and also discuss the way forward.
There is no harm in trying. We shall do our best. If we succeed fine, even if we fail, our conscience will then be clear. At least we would know that we have tried our best to resolve the crisis. There is no way something will happen and people who are seen as peace brokers will be around without doing something. It is good that the minister has taken this step. That report has not been submitted. Even in the meeting the issue of the report was raised and discussed. Many have been asking questions and talking about the report of the committee that I headed because they believe if it were accepted and acted upon, maybe we would have been out of the present crisis. However, we have to look beyond that for now. We have to move on. Even the minister has accepted responsibility for not receiving the report so we cannot remain on the same issue. Like I said we have to face the task at hand.
Like I said earlier, this issue has gone beyond the two personalities, Pinnick and Giwa. It is about the passion of millions of Nigerians. So I don’t think they will not accept to co-operate with the committee which is out to find solution to the problem on ground. The fact is that the committee is not mandated to pass judgement on anyone but to try and find ways of resolving the crisis. Moreover, Pinnick and Giwa are responsible people who have the interest of Nigerian football at heart. I don’t think they are after personal interest so they will definitely give the committee all the necessary co-operation.
Historically, we know that sometimes people decide to settle matters out of court. There is such provision in law
It is an open secret that the crisis has divided Nigerian football stakeholders. What is your advice to the supporters of the lead actors in the crisis?
My fatherly advice is that they should stop stoking the fire, if they are doing that. It will not help us in resolving the crisis. There is nothing that can be achieved, if stakeholders refuse to give the necessary support. Close allies of Giwa and Pinnick should continue to talk to them on the need for them to close ranks for the good of Nigerian football. We can’t pretend that our football is not suffering as a result of the ongoing crisis. For instance, the Nigeria Professional Football League is suspended indefinitely and this is not helping the clubs and the players. These are some of the things we must take into consideration in trying to resolve this matter once and for all.