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Chairman of the Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reforms Initiative, Prince Harrison Jalla, has declared that he will not contest the September 2026 Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) presidential election unless the process is free, fair, credible and democratic.
Jalla said although he possesses the vision, experience and commitment to lead Nigerian football, he would not participate in what he described as an undemocratic and predetermined electoral process.
According to him, the country’s football administration has continued to be dominated by individuals with little football knowledge and competence, a situation he blamed for the decline of the game in Nigeria.
He also questioned the rush to conduct the NFF election in September, arguing that it comes at a time when Nigeria faces the possibility of missing a third consecutive FIFA World Cup in 2030.
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Jalla maintained that he and other stakeholders would continue to champion reforms aimed at improving governance in Nigerian football rather than legitimising what he termed a flawed electoral process.
He cited the qualification of several African countries for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as evidence that football federations built on competence, accountability and sound administration are capable of delivering success.
The football reform advocate further alleged that the NFF remains plagued by corruption and systemic mismanagement, accusing the federation of depending heavily on Federal Government funding while hiding behind FIFA and CAF regulations to avoid accountability.
Jalla called for transparent leadership, democratic governance and administrators committed to the development of Nigerian football and the national interest rather than personal or sectional interests.
