Nigerian Football
With pageantry, Seyi Akinwunmi makes his NFF Presidency declaration
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
In a rare show of sportsmanship, virtually all the candidates to the top seat of the Nigeria Football Federation were in attendance as Seyi Akinwunmi made his declaration at the Lagos Room of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja on Tuesday.
Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Musa Ahmadu, Idah Peterside who are also presidential candidates in the election slated for Benin on September 30 were in attendance at the declaration by Akinwunmi.
Also present were some other executive committee members of the NFF. They include Enyimba FC strongman, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ and Ganiyu Majekodunmi.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Olusegun Dawodu.
Former NFA chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima was also in attendance along with former General Secretary, Dr. Ahmed Tijani. Some states’ FA chairmen were also present.
The message was clear. The election is going to be politics without bitterness as all resolved to support the candidate that eventually emerge.
Akinwunmi kicked off his campaign with the presentation of a brief history of the NFF as Kunle Solaja addressed the gathering that included NFF congressmen on the fact that contrary to popular belief and as indicated in the crest of the football body, the NFF was not founded in 1945.
Foremost broadcaster and former Director General of the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Dr Danladi Bako held the hall spellbound as he reeled out football information, first to inform all, that he was eminently qualified as a football community citizen ahead of his introduction and subsequent endorsement of Seyi Akinwunmi as the best candidate for the NFF presidency.
In unfolding his presidential bid, Akinwunmi, using the campaign slogan: “Football First”, explained why he considered himself the best option to lead the NFF.
In began with a pre-event video presentation before expatiating on his agenda, telling the gathering that he would create an inclusive, vibrant and efficient football ecosystem.
He promised to begin with the grassroot to develop sustainable national football culture and provide pathways to success and fully exploit the Nigerian entrepreneurship spirit.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has slammed Kano Pillars with a ₦9.5 million fine, a three-point deduction, and an indefinite ban from their home ground, Sani Abacha Stadium, following violent scenes during their Matchday 8 clash with Shooting Stars of Ibadan.
The latest punishment adds to Pillars’ growing record of disciplinary infractions. Since 2019, the club has paid over ₦36 million in fines related to crowd disturbances and violent conduct: ₦8m (June 2019), ₦2.5m (March 2022), ₦9m (April 2022), ₦2.25m (June 2022), ₦1m (October 2023), ₦12m (January 2024), and ₦2m (October 2024).
The disciplinary action, announced less than 24 hours after the incident, follows a pitch invasion in Kano that led to attacks on match officials and players of Shooting Stars, causing widespread condemnation.
Under the NPFL’s summary jurisdiction, the league deducted three points and three goals from Pillars’ accumulated tally for breaching Rule C1.1, which prohibits assault on match officials and opposing teams. The club will now play its home games at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina for the rest of the season.
In addition, the NPFL imposed a ₦9.5 million cumulative fine on the club for multiple breaches of league regulations:
- ₦1 million for failure to provide adequate security (Rule B13.52)
- ₦1 million for failing to control supporters who harassed the away team and officials (Rule C9)
- ₦1 million for objects thrown onto the pitch (Rule B13.18)
- ₦1 million for bringing the league into disrepute (Rule C1.1)
- ₦2 million for assault on the away team and officials
- ₦2 million as compensation to Shooting Stars players
- ₦1.5 million as restitution to assaulted match officials
In addition to the sanctions on Kano Pillars, the NPFL has written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Match Officials Appointment Committee recommending a review and possible downgrade of five referees.
The affected officials include centre referee Mohammed B. Tuta (Adamawa), assistant referees Bem Japhet (Benue) and Shehu Isah (Adamawa) from the Pillars vs. Shooting Stars match, and centre referee Ikechukwu Taiwo (Rivers) along with assistant referee Usman Opeyemi Edward (Osun) from the Nasarawa United vs. Rangers fixture.
Davidson Owumi, the NPFL’s Chief Operating Officer, reaffirmed the league’s zero-tolerance policy for violence.
“We will invoke the rules wherever and whenever required to keep bad behaviour of fans, players, and officials out of the league,” he declared.
Kano Pillars have been given the right to appeal the sanctions, although failure to overturn the decision could lead to additional penalties.
The Sani Abacha Stadium will remain closed to fans for the remainder of the 2025 season.
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The management of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has condemned the violent scenes that followed Sunday’s Matchday 8 encounter between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), describing the incident as disturbing and unacceptable.
In a statement signed by the league’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the NPFL said it had noted with concern the reports and viral video clips showing fans invading the pitch at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, shortly after the final whistle.
“We condemn in the strongest terms any act of violence, intimidation, or misconduct directed at players, match officials, or fans,” the statement read.
Owumi assured that the NPFL had already reached out to the Match Commissioner, Referees, and officials of Shooting Stars, confirming that their safety had been secured.
The league body stated that it is awaiting the official match reports and full video evidence from the Match Commissioner and Referees before taking disciplinary action but stressed that the incident would be treated with “utmost seriousness.”
“The NPFL is assuring all stakeholders and football lovers that this isolated incident is being handled decisively, and appropriate actions will follow upon review of the full reports,” Owumi said.
He reaffirmed the NPFL’s commitment to discipline, safety, and professionalism at all league venues nationwide, warning that violence of any kind will not be tolerated in the domestic league.
“We reaffirm our commitment to maintaining discipline, safety, and professionalism at all league venues across the country,” the statement concluded.
The Sunday incident in Kano has since sparked outrage among fans and officials, with many calling for stricter sanctions to deter future acts of hooliganism in Nigerian football.
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Former Super Eagles’ skipper and now Kano Pillars General Manager, Ahmed Musa, has tendered a public apology following the violent scenes that marred his club’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture against Shooting Stars Sports Club on Sunday evening.
In a heartfelt statement posted on his official X handle, the Super Eagles captain described the incident as “heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable,” stressing that it does not reflect the true values or proud history of Kano Pillars.
The scene after the Kano Pillars versus Shooting Stars match.
“What transpired against Shooting Stars is heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable. It does not represent the true values, identity, or proud history of Kano Pillars,” Musa wrote.
He expressed deep regret to Shooting Stars players, coaches, officials, match referees, NPFL board members, GTI partners, and football fans across the country who witnessed the ugly scenes, promising that those responsible would be brought to book.
“Violence has no place in football. It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and goes against everything this beautiful sport stands for. Football is meant to unite, to inspire, to bring joy. When it turns into scenes of chaos and harm, we must not pretend it away — we must confront it head-on,” he stated.
Musa assured that Kano Pillars would work closely with relevant authorities to identify and punish those behind the riot, adding that the club would take firm internal measures to prevent a recurrence.
“We understand that apologies alone are not enough. Words must be followed by action. We will take huge steps internally to ensure that something like this never happens again,” he said.
Addressing the club’s supporters directly, Musa urged them to show their passion through respect and discipline rather than violence.
“True support is shown not through violence, but through respect, passion, and discipline. This must be a turning point for us,” he appealed.
The former Leicester City and Al Nassr forward concluded by taking full responsibility on behalf of the club and promising to restore trust and respect for Kano Pillars and Nigerian football.
“We take full responsibility and will do everything necessary to restore trust, respect, and the true spirit of football in Kano and across Nigeria,” he said.
The NPFL and its partners are expected to launch an investigation into the incident, with potential sanctions looming for Kano Pillars, whose fans were reportedly involved in violent conduct following the match against the Ibadan-based Shooting Stars.
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