Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has urged factions in the leadership crisis currently engulfing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to come to the table and dialogue.
Chris Giwa insists he is the rightfully elected president of the federation, following the August 26, 2014 election and has made it clear he will assume office on January 12, 2016.
Giwa says he is ready to reclaim his mandate from Amaju Pinnick, who has been in the position since 2014.
Dalung has now warned both camps against taking law into their hands and says a forceful takover of the football house will not be tolerated.
“It has come to my knowledge once again, that anarchy is being adopted as a method for addressing grievances in the Nigeria Football Federation,” Dalung was quoted in a statement.
“As a peacemaker and also a Minister of Youth and Sports, I will always implore Nigerians to apply the use of dialogue and consensus in resolving crisis.
“This my posture should not be taken as weakness but as a well intended way of promoting peace among people.
“I reiterate this again and again that I am standing with nobody in the crisis of the NFF but will always stand for due process.
“If there are grievances, which have already been brought before me by both parties, I should be allowed to look into them and take a decision.
“Chris Giwa and his group should not take the petition brought to my table as a license for anarchy. I will not endorse that today. I will not endorse that tomorrow and I will not endorse that forever.
“Therefore, I urge all warring factions to remain very calm and peaceful so that we will not destroy the image and progress built so far in football.
“While wishing Nigerians a prosperous New Year and a hopeful outing at the Olympics, I charge all stakeholders to be more responsible and patriotic in their deeds. God bless Nigeria.”
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