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By Joe Apu
Prince Harrison Jalla, Chairman of the Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Concepts, has faulted the proposed Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Congress scheduled to hold on February 14, 2026, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, describing it as illegal, undemocratic and contrary to both court processes and existing statutory provisions.
Reacting to reports of the planned congress, Jalla said the NFF Congress, as presently constituted, “is nothing but a one-member Congress dominated by State Football Association chairmen.”
“The so-called NFF Congress today is a one-member Congress, where State FA chairmen control 37 out of 44 voting rights,” Jalla stated. “This is against the spirit and letters of the NFF Statutes, which recognize five federating units and blocs with equal membership status.”
He listed the five blocs as the Coaches Association, the Leagues, the Referees Association, the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), and the State Football Association chairmen, stressing that none should enjoy superiority over the others.
Jalla further disclosed that the current structure and electoral process of the NFF have been under legal challenge since 2021.
“This undemocratic arrangement has been challenged in a court of competent jurisdiction since 2021 in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2021,” he said.
“The core relief before the court is equal representation of all five federating units and blocs on the NFF Executive Board, Standing Committees and Ad-hoc Committees.”
According to him, the existence of the pending court case renders any planned congress illegal.
“By law, any congress—whether it is called Extraordinary, Elective or by any other name—is sub judice,” Jalla warned. “The Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF has no locus whatsoever to convene any congress in desperation until the court determines the issues surrounding the NFF electoral process.”
He also accused the NFF leadership of disregarding a Presidential Directive issued on June 17, 2022.
“There is a clear Presidential Directive which the NFF continues to flout, acting as if it is bigger than Nigeria itself,” he said. “That directive has not been obeyed till today.”
Jalla cautioned stakeholders planning to attend the proposed Bayelsa congress to be mindful of history and the rule of law.
“Those who wish to dare the law can proceed to Bayelsa on February 14,” he said. “But those who cannot recollect history should ask questions. We did it in September 2010 in Lagos, and we will do it again if necessary.”
He recalled that the entire NFF Congress was once prosecuted for contempt of court.
“Every member of the NFF Congress was charged and docked individually for contempt of court,” Jalla said. “They narrowly escaped jail only because of last-minute intervention by the Federal Government. Till today, there are two subsisting court orders arising from that illegal congress.”
The reform advocate insisted that the current Congress lacks the authority to take decisions on behalf of other stakeholders in Nigerian football.
“This undemocratic Congress cannot make decisions for other federating units and blocs,” he stressed. “Only a Congress of equal representatives, properly constituted in line with the NFF Statutes and the Presidential Directive, can amend the NFF Statutes. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy.”
Jalla concluded with a scathing criticism of long-serving actors within the federation.
“Those jobless leeches who have fed fat on the NFF for decades should look for something meaningful to do,” he said. “Enough is enough.”
