WHY THE NFF ELECTION MAY ALREADY BE DECIDED

WHY THE NFF ELECTION MAY ALREADY BE DECIDED

Ohis Asein

As the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) elective Congress draws closer in Nasarawa State, many football stakeholders and former international players have continued to insist that the current NFF leadership should not return for another term. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, the reality of NFF politics is often different from public sentiment.

The truth is simple: as long as the State Football Association Chairmen remain the dominant voting bloc in the NFF Congress, it will be extremely difficult for any candidate outside that structure to emerge victorious.

This is not speculation; it is how the system currently works.

Many had hoped that the last NFF Congress in Bayelsa would significantly expand the electoral college to create a more inclusive and representative voting process. Instead, only a few additional members were admitted, leaving the State FA Chairmen with overwhelming influence over who becomes President and who occupies seats on the Executive Committee.

That single decision may have already shaped the outcome of the forthcoming election.

From my experience covering Nigerian football, anyone aspiring to become an NFF Executive Committee member—or even President—must first build influence within the football structure, beginning from their state. Becoming a State FA Chairman is not just an advantage; it has become the most reliable pathway to the top of Nigerian football administration.

No amount of public endorsements, media campaigns, or support from former players can easily overcome the numerical strength of the State FA Chairmen during elections.

That is why I believe there will be another election before the election itself. In the coming weeks, State Football Associations across the country will conduct Secret Zonal elections to agree Who will represent the Zones at Board. Those contests will largely determine who controls the votes at the NFF Congress in Nasarawa.

In many respects, the State FA Zonal elections are the real battleground. By the time delegates gather for the NFF elective Congress, much of the outcome may already have been settled.

This is why those seeking change must first understand where the real political power lies. If genuine reforms are desired, they must begin with restructuring the composition of the NFF Congress to make it broader, more inclusive, and more reflective of the wider football community.

Until then, the State FA Chairmen will continue to play the decisive role in determining the leadership of Nigerian football.

In the next few weeks, I will return with my analysis of the likely winners—those I believe have the strongest chance of emerging as NFF President and Executive Committee members for the next four years.