Mustapha emerges Presidency’s choice to head NFF normalisation committee

By John Obande

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), AbdulHakeem Uthman Mustapha, has emerged as the alleged preferred candidate of influential figures in the Presidency to head the proposed Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) normalisation committee, according to information obtained by this publication.

The development follows the reported dissolution of the NFF board after a wave of resignations led by the federation’s president, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, paving the way for the establishment of a normalisation committee to oversee the administration of Nigerian football for three months.

Checks by this publication indicate that Mustapha enjoys the backing of a majority of power brokers in the Presidency, who are said to favour his legal expertise and international football credentials for the assignment.

According to a profile published by Nigerian sports website, Sports Village Square, Mustapha is a member of the FIFA Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee, a position that provides him with exposure to the global football governing body and its administrative structures.

He also previously served as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Committee, placing him among Nigerians with considerable experience in the legal and judicial frameworks governing football on the continent.

His experience in international football administration could prove significant if the proposed normalisation process is to secure the confidence of FIFA and CAF, particularly given the sensitivity surrounding the governance of national football associations.

However, Mustapha reportedly emerged ahead of a seasoned football administrator from the South-South region whose candidacy was said to have received the backing of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The South-South administrator, however, was reportedly less favoured by influential figures within the National Sports Commission (NSC), a factor said to have worked against his candidacy.

The proposed normalisation committee is expected to manage the affairs of Nigerian football during the three-month transition period, pending further decisions on the federation’s leadership and administration.

Mustapha’s reported emergence, however, is yet to be officially confirmed by the Presidency, the NSC or the NFF.