Gusau Backing Sparks Row As Gara Gombe Defends NFF Congress Vote

A vote of confidence in Ibrahim Gusau’s leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation has ignited fresh debate, after sports stakeholder Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe defended the decision and criticised calls for reform.

Reacting to the outcome of the NFF Congress held in Yenagoa, Gombe insisted that the endorsement of Gusau and his executive committee was neither unusual nor unprecedented.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Athletics and Other Sports Commission described the move as a legitimate exercise of stakeholders’ rights.

“It is their right and normal to pass a vote of confidence. It has happened before; this is not new,” he said.

Gombe drew comparisons with the tenure of former NFF president Amaju Pinnick, arguing that similar support was extended in the past despite what he described as more serious failings.

“To think this is the first time such a vote has been passed is incorrect. Even during the Amaju-led administration, a vote of confidence was given,” he added.

The outspoken administrator went further, claiming that the current leadership’s shortcomings are significantly less severe than those of previous administrations, while questioning the motives of critics now demanding sweeping reforms.

He also raised concerns about the role of Shehu Dikko, now heading the National Sports Commission, suggesting that meaningful change in Nigerian football remains unlikely without broader institutional reform.

Gombe took aim at several former internationals, including Mikel Obi, accusing them of remaining silent during earlier periods of alleged mismanagement.

“People talking about reform today were quiet for years. Where were they when these issues were happening?” he queried.

The debate, he argued, reflects a pattern of “selective criticism” rather than a consistent push for accountability across Nigerian sport.

While acknowledging challenges within the current system, Gombe maintained that stability is necessary, insisting that Gusau should be allowed to complete his tenure just as his predecessors did.

He concluded by calling for a comprehensive investigation into the administration of Nigerian football dating back several years, while urging the National Sports Commission to lead wider reforms across all sporting federations.